SJOUKE  GABBES 


A  DUTCH  SOURCE  FOR 
ROBINSON  CRUSOE 


LUCIUS  L.  HUBBARD 


DUKE 

UNIVERSITY 

LIBRARY 


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SJOUKE  GABBES 


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PLATE    I.     FRONTISPIECE  TO  KRINKE   KESMES,   DUTCH   EDITION,    1708 


A  DUTCH  SOURCE  FOR 

ROBINSON  CRUSOE 


THE  NARRATIVE  OF  THE 
EL-HO 

"SJOUKE  GABBES" 

(ALSO  KNOWN  AS  HENRICH  TEXEL) 


AN  EPISODE  FROM  THE 
DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  MIGHTY  KINGDOM 

OF 

KRINKE  KESMES,  Et  cetera 

BY 
HENDRIK  SMEEKS 

1708 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  DUTCH  AND  COMPARED 
WITH  THE  STORY  OF 

ROBINSON  CRUSOE 

BY 
LUCIUS  L.  HUBBARD 

AUTHOR  OF  "WOODS  AND  LAKES  OF  MAINE"  "CONTRIBUTIONS 
TOWARDS  A  BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  GULUVER'S  TRAVELS." 
El  cetera 


ANN  ARBOR 

GEORGE  WAHR,  PUBLISHER 

1921 


Copyright  19S1  by 
L.  L.  Hubbard 


One  hundred  and  twenty-five  copies  of  this  book  have 
been  printed   for   Holland,  with  a  title-page   in  Dutch. 


To  the 

People  of  Holland 

this  little  book  is  respectfully  inscribed 

in  the  hope  that  it  may  help  award  to 

one  of  their  countrymen 

the  meed  that  is  justly  his 


"'^602'^ 


ocbVZci 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

List  of  Illustrations ix 

Apropos xi 

Preface xiii 

Introduction xix 


The  Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gabbes  com- 
pared WITH  that  of  Robinson  Crusoe        i 

De  Historie  van  den  El-ho  [Sjoub:e 
Gabbes] Ill 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTEATIONS 

PAGE 

PLATE  I. 

Frontispiece  to  Krinke  Kesmes,  Dutch 
EDITION,    1708 Front. 

PLATE  II. 

Title  page  to  Krinke  Kesmes,  Dutch 
EDITION,  1708 xxii 

PLATE  III. 
Final  page  of  Introduction  to  Krinke 
Kesmes,  1708,  WITH  Smeeks's  protest    xxiv 

PLATE  IV. 

Manuscript  page  in  Smeeks's  hand- 
writing       XXV 

PLATE  V. 

Page  229  from  Krinke  Kesmes,  1708, 
with  Smeeks's  notes xxvi 

PLATE  VI. 

Title  page  to  the  El-ho's  story,  Ger- 
man edition,   1721 xx\aii 

PLATE  VII. 

Frontispiece    to    the    El-ho's    story, 
German  edition,  1721 xxix 


APROPOS 

"Beaucoup  de  nos  Modernes  ne  lui  sembloient 
que  les  éehos  d'autres  Savans.  .  .  Quand  je 
lui  demandois  pourquoi  done  il  lisoit  les  ouvrages 
d'autrui,  il  me  répondit  que  c'étoit  pour  con- 
noitre  les  larcins  d'autrui,  et  que,  s'il  eut  été 
juge  de  ces  sortes  de  crimes,  il  y  auroit  établi 
des  peines  plus  rigoreuses  que  celles  dont  on 
punit  les  voleurs  de  grands  chemins ;  a  cause  que, 
la  gloire  étant  quelque  chose  de  plus  précieux 
qu'un  habit,  qu'un  cheval,  et  même  que  de  I'or, 
ceux  qui  s'en  acquièrent  par  des  livres  qu'ils 
composent  de  ce  qu'ils  dérobent  chez  les  autres 
étoient  comme  des  voleurs  de  grands  chemins, 
qui  se  parent  aux  dépens  de  ceux  qu'ils  déval- 
isent,"  etc.  (Preface  of  Henri  Lebret  ainé,  in 
Cyrano  de  Bergerac 's  Histoire  Comique  des 
États  et  Empires  de  la  Lune  et  du  Soleil,  Paris, 
Gamier  Frères,  page  85  (1875). 


PREFACE 

The  translation  of  a  Dutch  boy's  story 
which  is  the  subject  of  the  following  pages, 
and  a  careful  reexamination  of  the  narra- 
tive of  Robinson  Crusoe,  brought  to  the 
writer  the  conviction  that  the  latter,  in  its 
setting,  in  many  of  the  incidents  which  it 
chronicles,  and  in  the  traits  and  activities 
of  its  hero,  bears  a  telling  and  suspicious 
resemblance  to  the  former,  which  preceded 
it  by  eleven  years,  —  enough  of  a  resem- 
blance to  justify  the  query:  ''Is  not  the 
earlier  story  in  fact,  and  ought  it  not  of 
right  to  be  considered,  the  pattern  after 
which  ''Robinson"  was  molded"?" 

The  lapse  of  two  hundred  years  may 
seem  to  have  confirmed  title  in  Defoe,  first, 
to  originality  for  the  best  conception  ex- 
tant of  a  story  of  solitary  life  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and,  second,  to  superiority  for  the 
manner  in  which  the  literary  part  of  that 
conception  is  worked  out.  If  at  this  late 
day  the  right  to  either  of  these  heritages 
be  contested,  it  will  not  do  for  the  ad- 


[xiv]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


herents  of  Defoe  to  plead  the  statute  of 
limitations.  The  issue  must  be  met  fairly 
and  decided  on  the  facts. 

With  the  second  of  these  points,  except 
where  the  two  may  be  deemed  inseparable, 
we  are  not  here  particularly  concerned. 
The  title  to  literary  superiority  will  have 
to  be  decided  on  expert  testimony  by  the 
Court.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  force  ex- 
pressed by  Hirtius,  the  friend  of  Julius 
Caesar,  and  supposed  author  of  parts  of 
the  Commentaries,  when  he  says:  ^^ Con- 
stat enim  inter  omnes,  nihil  tarn  operose  ah 
aliis  esse  perfectum,  quod  non  horum  ele- 
gantia  comment ariorum  superetur."  {Bell. 
Gall.  8,  Praef.  4;  quoted  by  Sanders  in 
Die  Quellencontamination  im  21.  und  22. 
Buche  des  Livius.  Berlin,  1898,  p.  12.) 
This  sentiment  applies  as  well  to  imitators 
as  to  commentators.  The  habit  of  literary 
imitation  seems  to  have  originated  long 
before  the  Christian  era,  and  to  have  been 
prevalent  until  after  Defoe's  time.  "While 
artistic  imitation  was  thus  recognized  and 
approved  by  ancient  critical  opinion,  plag- 
iarism was  condemned.  The  ancients  un- 
derstood by  plagiarism  close  verbal  imita- 


Preface  [xv] 

tion  or  even  free  paraphrase,  especially  if 
the  imitator  made  no  direct  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  sources,  or  even  deliberately 
concealed  tliem."^ 

On  the  first  point,  however,  we  purpose 
to  go  to  the  Jury,  and  our  evidence  will  be 
the  Dutch  boy 's  narrative  and  parallel  pas- 
sages from  ''Eobinson."  There  will  be  a 
good  many  thoughts  and  phrases  common 
to  the  two  narratives  that  a  priori  need  not 
imply  imitation  on  Defoe 's  part.  Their  sig- 
nificance lies  in  the  fact  that  they  go  to  make 
up  essential  parts  in  two  works  that  we  are 
trying  to  compare  by  the  test  of  originality. 
But  these  thoughts  may  inferentially  be- 
come more  important,  if  we  find  that  other 
thoughts  have  unmistakably  been  taken  by 
Defoe  from  the  earlier  author.    The  num- 
ber of  such  appropriations  may  be  found  to 
be  so  great,  that  '' Robinson"  will  have  to 
be  regarded  as  an  imitation,  and  the  credit 
for  originality  in  the  common  motif  that 
underlies  the  two  stories  will  rightly  be 
accorded  to  Smeeks. 

1  Cf.  Lucili/us  and  Horace :  A  Study  in  the  Classical 
Theory  of  Imitation.  George  Converse  Fiske,  Univer- 
sity of  Wisconsin  Studies,  No.  71,  1920,  p.  27. 


[xvi]  Sjouke  Gabhes 


In  connection  with  this  tiianslation,  a 
perusal  of  the  scanty  printed  comments  on 
the  Dutch  story,  and  frequent  converse 
with  scholars  of  English,  have  revealed  to 
the  writer  an  amazing  and  widespread 
ignorance  of  the  existence  either  of  the 
story  or  of  the  comments.  That  a  claim  to 
priority  against  ''Eobinson,"  made  in 
1910,  in  a  high-class  foreign  magazine, 
should  not  have  become  known  to  the  gen- 
eral English-speaking  public,  might  be  ex- 
pected, but  that  it  should  not  have  filtered 
through  into  university  and  other  literary 
circles  in  ten  years,  because  it  was  made  in 
Dutch,  points  to  an  inexcusable  neglect  of 
that  language  in  our  institutions  of  higher 
learning  in  this  age  of  culture. 

The  work  on  this  translation,  while  in 
progress,  also  has  naturally  suggested 
some  by-paths  that  might  appropriately  be 
explored  at  the  same  time  that  the  main 
avenue  was  being  investigated  that  leads 
to  Defoe's  knowledge  of  the  earlier  story. 
But  the  writer  must  leave  that  task  —  or 
pleasure  —  to  experts  in  this  particular 
field,  and  content  himself  with  the  privilege 
of  laying  before  the  public  without  further 


Preface  [xvii] 

delay  the  original  text,  its  translation  into 
English  now  first  made  after  two  hundred 
years,  and  such  other  material  as,  in  spite 
of  drawbacks,  he  has  been  able  to  assemble, 
and  which,  together,  in  his  opinion,  go  far 
to  justify  and  confirm  the  conclusions  al- 
ready reached,  and  claims  made,  by  Dutch 
investigators  before  him.  These  he  offers 
here,  not  in  any  sense  as  exhaustive  of  the 
subject,  but  rather  as  a  contribution  to  the 
literature  of  ''Eobinson." 

He  begs,  finally,  to  acknowledge  with 
gratitude  his  debt,  for  their  aid  in  render- 
ing his  translation  accurate,  to  Professor 
and  Mrs.  J.  G.  Winter,  Professor  M.  W. 
Senstius,  Mr.  Victor  E.  Van  Ameringen; 
to  Doctor  Henry  C.  Hutchins,  for  friendly 
criticisms ;  and  not  least  of  all  to  Professor 
F.  N.  Scott,  for  helpful  sugestions  and  en- 
couragement. 

Lucius  L.  Hubbaed 

Houghton,  Michigan 
July,  1921 


INTRODUCTION 

To  readers  of  Robinson  Crusoe  who  are  famil- 
iar with  the  story  of  Alexander  Selkirk  the 
statement  will  perhaps  come  as  a  surprise,  that 
the  experiences  of  Selkirk  on  the  island  of  Juan 
Fernandez  may  not  have  furnished  the  motif  for 
"Robinson"  nor  anything  more  than  some 
"meag-re  outlines"  for  it,  if  they  did  even  that.^ 

In  fact,  the  only  materials  of  consequence  com- 
mon to  the  two  narratives  are  the  goats  and  tame 
kids,  the  goat-skin  clothing,  the  recording  of 
time  by  notches  in  wood,  the  study  of  the  Bible, 
and  religious  contemplation,  and  even  these  may 
have  been  taken  by  Defoe  from  other  sources. 
For  example,  we  know  from  the  Bucaniers  of 
America,  published  in  Dutch  in  1678,  and  in 
English,  first  in  1684,  that  the  island  of  His- 
paniola^  furnished  wild  bulls  and  cows  to  the 
pirates  that  infested  the  West  Indies.  From 
bulls  to  goats  is  not  a  far  cry,  and  the  use  of  the 
skins  of  wild  animals  for  clothing  has  been  of 
course  known  from  primitive  ages.    Again,  keep- 

1  Hettner,  Eobinson  und  die  Eobinsonaden.  Vortrag, 
Berlin,  1854.  Eeprinted  in  Litt.  Gesch.  d.  18.  Jahrh., 
1865,  I,  p.  305. 

2  Haiti  or  Santo  Domingo. 

[xix] 


[xx]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


ing  an  account  of  time  by  means  of  notches  in 
wood  was  done  by  Simplicissimus,^  who  also 
made  pottery,  had  his  daily  employments,  and 
gave  expression  of  other  ideas  found  in  ' '  Robin- 
son." 

Daniel  Defoe  according  to  one  of  his  biog- 
raphers was  a  "born  tradesman,  always  writing 
for  the  market,  always  keeping  a  steady  eye  on 
the  main  chance, '  '*  and  it  was  probably  the  wide 
interest  awakened  by  Selkirk's  experience  as  re- 
ported by  Woodes  Rogers  ^  that  quickened,  but 
did  not  necessarily  originate,  in  Defoe  the  im- 
pulse to  take  up  and  work  out  a  theme  along 
similar  lines.  Captain  Rogers  out  of  his  own 
experience  possibly  contributed  the  currents  that 
swept  past  Selkirk's  island,  or  the  third  voyage 
of  Columbus  may  have  been  responsible  for  that 
incident,  since  its  track  was  across  the  outflowing 
waters  of  the  Orinoco.  Indeed,  even  with  these 
exceptions,  the  incidents  recorded  by  Robinson 
may  not  all  have  been  original  with  Defoe.  They 
may  have  come  from  sources  little  known,  or 
generally  forgotten  in  his  time.  At  any  rate, 
Rogers  had  brought  back  from  the  South  Sea  a 
tale  of  solitary  life  on  a  desert  island;  had  seen 


^  Der   Ahenteuerliche    Simplicissimus.     Grimmelshaua- 
en.     Repr.  Halle,  1902,  VI,  19,  et  seq. 

4  The  Life  of  Daniel  Defoe.     "Wright.     London,  1894. 

5  A  Cruising  Voyage  round  the  World.    London,  1712; 
Second  Ed.,  1718. 


Introduction  [xxi] 


its  hero,  and  printed  an  account  of  him,  which 
was  then  recently  in  its  second  edition,  and  that 
an  English-speaking  public  should  see  in  that 
account  the  source  of  Defoe's  story,  was,  under 
the  circumstances,  quite  natural  and  quite  suffi- 
cient. Any  search  for  other  sources  probably 
did  not  occur  even  to  scholars  of  Defoe's  day, 
and  the  lapse  of  time  has  brought  with  it  the 
accumulating  plaudits  of  generations  of  readers, 
for  the  manner  in  which  he  has  invested  his 
Robinson  with  interest,  and  humanized  him. 

The  literary  studies  of  Cyrano  de  Bergerac, 
as  we  have  seen  on  an  earlier  page,  were  directed 
chiefly  to  ascertain  the  sources  from  which  writ- 
ers derived  their  material,*^  which  is  an  indirect 
way  of  re-stating  the  trite  assertion  that  there 
is  nothing  new  under  the  sun.  Literary  piracy 
seems  to  have  been  prevalent  in  Cyrano's  day. 
It  was  with  some  such  thought  in  his  mind  too, 
that  Ten  Brink  ^  took  up  the  consideration  of 
Robinson,  but  he  soon  dismissed  the  search  for 
an  antecedent  prototype  as  useless,  for  the  reason 
that  Defoe's  creation  was  so  completely  original! 
The  purpose  of  these  pages  is  not  to  review  in 
extenso  the  Robinsonian  literature,  but  to  con- 
fine our  attention  principally  to  one  source  from 

^Gulliver's  Travels  and  other  worls  by  Jonathan  Swift. 
Henry  Morley.     London,  1906,  p.  421, 

■r  Eomans  in  Proza.     Leiden,  [1899],  Afl.  VII,  p.  414. 


[xxii]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


which  Defoe  appears  to  have  drawn  much  of  his 
material,  and  possibly  his  inspiration  also. 

Shipwreck  or  abandonment,  followed  by  exist- 
ence on  an  island,  isolated  from  human  societ}^, 
was  not  a  novelty  even  in  Selkirk's  time.  The 
publications  of  his  day  contained  examples  of 
it,  some  real,  —  in  voyages  of  discovery,  —  and 
some  imaginary.  Among  the  latter  is  the  sub- 
ject of  these  pages,  a  story  of  paramount  interest 
to  which  Staverman*  called  attention  in  1907.  It 
is  the  narrative  of  a  Dutch  cabin  boy,  who,  aban- 
doned on  Krinke  Kesmes,  an  island  in  the 
South  Sea,  for  many  years  maintained  his  exist- 
ence just  as,  eleven  years  later,  Robinson  is 
reported  to  have  done  in  the  other  hem- 
isphere. A  perusal  of  this  story,  which 
forms  part  of  a  book  published  in  Holland 
in  1708,  and  its  comparison  with  Robinson,  will 
disclose  resemblances  already  noted  in  our  pref- 
ace, which  are  more  or  less  disguised  in  places 
under  cover  of  a  mannerism  or  method,  peculiar 
to  the  Robinson  narrative  when  it  repeats  state- 
ments previously  made  in  its  own  pages.  There 
can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  that  Defoe  knew  this 
book,  and  perhaps  little,  that  he  had  it  by  him 
when  he  wrote  parts  of  his  Robinson,  but  of  this 

8  Cf.  Eobinso7i  Crusoe  in  Nederland.  W.  H.  Staver- 
man.     Groningen,  1907,  pp.  45,  51. 


BESCHRYVINGE 

Van    het    magtig     Koningryk 

KRINKE  KESMES- 

'  Zynde  een  groot,  en  vcele  kkindero 
Eilanden  daar  aan  hore^ide  j 

Makende  te  zamen  een  gedeelte  van  het 
onbekende 

Z  U  I  D  L  A  N  D. 

Gelegen  onder  den  Tropicus  Capricornus, 

Ontdekt  door  den  Heer 

"•  J  U  A  N    DE     P  o  S  o  S, 

En  p.it  deszelfs  Schriften  te  zamen  ge  fielt 
Door    H.    SMEEK  S^ 


Te    AMSTERDAM, 

By  N  I  COL  A  AS   tenHho  O  R  N, 

i5oekvcrkooper,ovcr 't  OudeHecrcn  Logement,  1 70S, 


■V 


/ 


'-'"  -"  '•- 


PLATK   II.       TITLK    PACK   TO    KKINKK    KK.SMKS,    DUTCH    f:i)ITIOX.    1708 


Introduction  [xxiii] 


the  reader  will  be  able  to  judge  for  himself.^ 
The  narrative  of  the  Dutch  cabin  boy  was,  in 
part,  reprinted  by  Hoogewerff  in  1909,^''  and  in 
a  free  translation  in  German,  in  its  entirety,  by 
Max  Lehnert  in  1920."^ 

The  book  opens  with  an  account  of  the  early 
life  of  the  supposed  narrator,  Juan  de  Posos, 
gives  a  description  of  ship  scurvy,  and  then  the 
narrator,  after  a  discussion  of  voyages  of  discov- 
ery, a  reference  to  engineering  work  on  the  Texel 
Stroom,  and  to  some  other,  personal  matters,  pro- 

9  The  title  of  the  work  in  question,  translated  into 
English,  is  as  follows: 

Description  /  of  the  mighty  kingdom  /  Krinke 
Kesmes.  /  Being  one  large,  and  many  smaller  /  islands 
thereto  belonging;  /  Making  together  a  part  of  the  / 
imknown  /  SOUTHLAND  /  situated  under  the  tropic  of 
Capricorn.  /  Discovered  by  Mr.  /  Juan  de  Posos,  /  and 
composed  from  his  writings  /  by  H.  SMEEKS.  /  (Print- 
er's device)  /  Amsterdam,  /  At  Nicolaas  ten  Hoorn 's  / 
Bookseller,  over  the  Old  Gentlemen's  Inn,  1708.  / 

Collation:  Pp.  —  front,  t.p.  (verso  blank);  introd. 
vi  (imn.)  ;  chapter-contents,  vi  (unn.),  286;  15i/^  cm. 
(Pis.  I  and  II.) 

Four  Dutch  editions  are  known,  of  1708,  1721,  1732, 
and  1776,  respectively.  The  edition  of  1732  has  only 
recently  turned  up. 

10  Eeti  N ederlandsche  Bron  van  den  Eobinson  Crusoe. 
Onze  Eeuw,  IX,  9,  Sept.  1909,  p.  399. 

T-oa-Bohinsonaden,  Band  V.  der  Böhmische  Eobinson 
sowie  der  Hollandische  Eobinson.  Raben-Verlag,  Char- 
lottenburg. 


[xxiv]  8jouke  Gabhes 


ceeds  to  detail  his  business  affairs  and  final  de- 
parture  from  Panama  for  the  Philippine  Islands, 
on  a  trading  voyage. 

His  ship  meets  with  a  storm  and  is  driven  to 
the  coast  of  an  unknown  country,  —  the  South- 
land,—  where  a  squad  of  men  under  command 
of  De  Posos  is  set  on  land  to  make  a  reconnais- 
sance. The  party  is  taken  prisoner  by  the  in- 
habitants of  Krinke  Kesmes,  treated  well,  and 
after  mutual  trading,  suffered  to  depart.  In  the 
interval  the  narrator  utilizes  his  stay  in  an  im- 
portant city,  Taloujaël,  to  inspect  the  public 
buildings  and  learn  the  history,  government,  and 
customs  of  the  people.  Philosophical  discussions 
between  two  academies,  for  men  and  women  re- 
spectively, are  introduced  into  the  narrative,  and 
a  great  many  proverbs  are  given  on  silence, 
religion,  education,  and  against  drunkenness, 
which  constitute  the  precepts  by  which,  in  addi- 
tion to  five  fundamental  laws,  the  lives  of  these 
people  are  regulated,  and  lend  to  this  part  of  the 
book  the  character  of  a  Utopia.  A  good  deal  of 
Cartesian  doctrine  is  embodied  in  the  proverbs 
on  religion  and  in  the  discussions  between  the 
Dutch  leader  and  his  cicerone,  the  **garbon"  or 
overseer. 

Of  the  author,  Hendrik  Smeeks,  little  is  known 
except  that  he  was  a  surgeon  and  lived  at  Zwolle 
(in  Overyssel),  as  the  signature  to  his  preface 


rr^ 


VOOR-REEDEN. 

tekeningen  gemaakt  wegens  de  ftro- 
men,  Havens,  Hoofden  enz.  van  't 
Texel-flroom ,  metecnigeflellingcn om 
onze  landen  voor  verder  inbreuk  v^an  't 
water  te  dekkcn.Hy  heef r  ook  een  niet 
onkundige  bcfchry  vinge  van  dcSchceps 
Scheurbuik  gedaan,  mcc  eenige  aan- 
wyzing  om  die  kwaal  te  bonnen 
voorkomen  enz 

Voor  de  red  behoefd  de  Leezer 
gene  hoogdravende  flyl  te  verwag- 
ten  ,  vermits  de  Schryver  meer  op 
de  zaak  zelf  als  op  cene  ficrlyke 
fchryfwyze  gelet  heeft;  en  het  den 
Zeeman  meer  eigen  is  zakelykhedcn 
voor  te  (lellen  ,  dan  een  opgepronk- 
re  taaie  te  gebruiken.  Doorleeft, 
merkt  op  ,  en  doet  *er  u  voordeel 
mede. 


ni 


tAVC»^'*CVcAi.    ».J;£Ul^ 


ÏN- 


'U-:    OF    IXTKODtCTION   TO    KRINKK    KKS.MKS    1708 
WITH    SMKEKS'S    PROTEST 


""L  ii^^m^^—^mm 


'Jö-t%^aX'   ^ii*-^*^  tcfi&x^i?  'Jk- 1)  aujuk^  »-cti=  ^v 
2/    fcxJ^'DiUr  ^WA>--  -^^  «-^^^ 


w 


\>xxrz  ^  "^^Öv^.*^  vx^jL*.  ,5-i&A>^  Kn^c^Jt)  ^3^ 

PLATE    IV.      MANUSCRIPT   PAGE   IN    SMEEKS'S   HANDWRITING,    WITH 
HIS  SIGNATURE 


Introduction  [xxv] 


indicates  (PI.  Ill),  and  died  in  1721,  at  an  ad- 
vanced age."  In  his  earlier  life  he  had  probably- 
had  a  good  deal  of  experience  at  sea.^^  The  name 
"Kesmes"  is  an  anagram  for  Smeeks,  and  the 
names  of  the  academies,  Nemnan  and  Wonvure, 
stand  for  "Mannen"  and  "Vrouwen"  respect- 
ively, as  Staverman  points  out. 

In  the  Royal  Library  at  The  Hague  there  is  a 
copy  of  the  first  edition  of  "Krinke  Kesmes" 
that  belonged  to  Smeeks  himself.  From  notes  in 
it  made  in  his  handwriting  we  learn,  among 
other  things,  that  the  actual  preface  in  his  book 
was  written  by  the  publisher,  and  substituted  for 
one  prepared  by  Smeeks,  for  on  the  last  page  of 
the  former,  Smeeks  in  pen  and  ink  has  entered 
his  protest  in  these  words:  "This  preface  has 
my  name  printed  under  it,  but  I  neither  com- 
posed it,  nor  ever  saw  it  before  it  was  printed" 
(PI.  III).  On  sheets  pasted  on  the  opposite  and 
subsequent  pages  is  a  statement,  which  relates 
to  the  same  subject:  "My  introduction  to  the 
reader,  which  I  sent  to  Ten  Hoorn,  to  have 
printed  for  this  little  book,  with  permission  to 
alter  the  style,  is  as  follows. ' '  Then  come  three 
pages  headed  "To  the  Reader"  (PL  IV),  with 
Smeeks 's  signature,  and  his  modest  reply  to  Ten 
Hoorn 's  remark  that  Smeeks 's  introduction  was 


11  Staverman,  loc.  cit.,  p.  54. 

12  Nog  ecus  de  N ederlandsclie  Bran  van  de  Eoimson 
Crusoe.    Naber.     Onze  Eeuw,  X,  3.     March,  1910,  p.  428. 


[xxvi]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


the  work  of  a  child  —  "I  have  never  given  my- 
self out  for  a  wise  man. ' '  ^^  Opposite  the 
frontispiece  we  find  in  a  different  handwriting 
from  that  of  Smeeks,  but  curiously  enough 
signed  "H.  S.,"  the  following  evidence  of  censor- 
ship :  [I  have]  "read  this  little  work  with  the 
written  notes  and  additions,  in  the  year  1775, 
and  not  only  found  that  there  is  Cartesian  senti- 
ment in  it,  but  that  also  the  opinions  of  two  doc- 
tors, Bontekoe  and  Overkamp,  are  ridiculed,  and 
therefore  it  is  evident  to  me  that  the  little  work 
is  full  of  pernicious  things  concerning  re- 
ligion. Eead,  1775.  On  p.  6  in  the  second 
manuscript  there  is  a  statement  about  Dr.  Corn  : 
Bontekoe  and  his  work."  " 

So  much  for  the  book  and  its  author.  De 
Posos,  during  his  stay  in  Taloujaël,  meets  a 
Dutchman  called  the  Elho  or  Freeman,  and  by 
him  is  given  a  written  account  of  the  Elho's 
arrival  in  Krinke  Kesmes  as  a  cabin  boy,  on  a 
desolate  part  of  the  island,  and  of  his  years  of 

13  The  writer  is  under  obligations  to  Baron  Mulert  of 
Ommen,  and  to  Mr.  Posthumus  of  The  Hague,  for  tran- 
scripts and  photographs  of  these  inscriptions.  The  "book 
in  question  is  filled  -with  notes,  some  of  which  appear  to 
have  been  made  in  contemplation  of  a  new  edition. 
(PI.   V.) 

14  Dr.  Bontekoe  was  a  medical  man,  but  wrote  on  meta- 
physical subjects,  as  appears  in  the  passages  written  by 
Smeeks,  indicated  in  the  censor's  postscript. 


flanhangende  ;  zijn  Mantel  was  vol  Oogeji 
en  Goren,  onder  zijn  O.'^els  Ii-iddc  hy  Boe- 
ken, Papier,  Pennen,  Inkt,  Pcnzcclcn,  cji 
Verf;  in  zijn  regterPoQt  hield  hy  een  Schaa- 
k,  die  hy  geduurig  in  baljins  zogt  te  hou- 
den, mee  nu  in  de  cene,  dan  in 'de  andere 
blaazende,  in  zijn  linker  Poot  hield  hv  ccij 
Touw,  daarEezeij,  Bokken,  enVerkens, 
met  Buffels  aangebonden  waaren,  uie  heni 
goeuwilliL;  ich.ecncn  te  volgen.  ivv'-LW>i^i»ii;^  S^c-    _ 

De  Cii vj::?^hcid  wierd  hier  verbeeld ,  door  ^^^^3^- 
ecnm:viger  W'^ijF,  gekleed  met  Schaipe-vel- 
hii,  waar  onder  heen  een  VVolfuir  kijkt,   in 
haar    hand    was   een  ^Boek   en   Paceraoi- 
tej-,  i^ükpa^*-  yu>féi/t  p+^^-  ;^'-W  -L/  ts^X^i^»^  o^\.2u  tm. 

-  Daar  ontrent  ilond  de  Gieri^ieU  ,    dic^^^-^^,^^^ 
v.';;s  een  oude,  leiijke  ma.igcre  Caroüic  van*-*-^"^»;?^ 
een  Wijf,  metireUrbcLiidcV.^^J-n  i'    Jecd.V^'^^'' 
Zijnde  bloot- voces,    kn:>;>pcnJ.c  iv.a  '>-''decy»/ÏU*t 
hundcn een  vollcGéld-  beurs  Eoe3  b)  h.i.ir  ilond jf-W^Wv. 
een  maageren  Wolh  '  yyttO/m. 

De  Eedclheid^  was  een  fchoone  VrouWf^^^S^JSïkl 
kofteli)k gekleed,  hebbende  inde  ecne hand v*^-«^5^v.*5t 
een  Lan(Je ,  in  de  andere  het  Vjccid  van  ^'^•f^^'^^^ 
^•'"^y  op  haar  hooi d  waseen  KjooiiC  van  SüerrS^  vj>J«. 
ren,  voor  haar  op  een  laafel,  laagen  Kroo-4^^ 
nen  geld ,  Boeken ,  en  SAvaardcn .  -^L  i^^ 

Oi-n    Oorioj   v/as  ccn  gepaapend  i^'kin,'^^^^ 
hebbende  in  oeecne  bandeen  Bloed -lvva;ird,vl!24.\-«^ 


t>u^ 


I 


PLATE    V.     PAGE  229  FROM  KRINKE  KESMES,  1708,   SHOWING  SMEEKS'S 

CORRECTIONS 


Introduction  [xxvii] 


solitary  existence  in  the  wilderness.  This  episode 
is  incorporated  in  the  book  between  pages  125 
and  192  —  at  least,  in  the  first  three  editions  — 
and  constitutes  a  pre-Robinsonade/=  from  which, 
as  we  shall  try  to  show,  Defoe  derived  much  of 
the  material  for  his  ''Robinson." 

In  the  Robinson  literature  we  find  an  early 
reference  to  "Krinke  Kesmes"  in  1854,  in  the 
work  of  Hettner,^^  ^^^^  however,  got  his  data 
from  the  German  translation  of  1721,  and 
thought  the  story  was  an  imitation  of  Robinson 
Crusoe  —  not  its  forerunner. 

In  1892  August  Kippenberg  "  also  considered 
Krinke  Kesmes  a  Dutch  imitation  of  Defoe  ^«  and 
gave  it  high  rank.  He  points  out  some  misprints 
in  Hettner's  notice,  and  appears  erroneously  to 
have  thought  that  the  episode  had  been  printed 
in  separate  form.  His  confused  and  faulty 
recapitulation  of  the  contents  of  the  book,  and 
other  mistakes,  show  that  he  could  not  have  con- 
sulted any  of  the  Dutch  editions.^^    He  says  that 

15  We  use  the  term  ' '  Eobinsonade ' '  in  the  sense  used 
by  Dr.  Hermann  Ullrich  —  a  story  that  portrays  "in- 
sular isolation  from  human  society"  {Bohimon  und  Eoh- 
insonaden.  Weimar,  1898,  p.  XIV)  —  and  the  prefix  to 
indicate  that  it  antedates  E.  C,  1719. 

16  Z,oc.  cit.,  Ill,  1,  323. 

-^T  EoUmon  in  Deutschland  bü  sur  Insel  Felsenburg 
(1731-43),  Hannover,  1892. 

18  Ibid.,  p.  45. 

19  He   misapplies  his  pronouns;   says  that  Pesos   had 


[xxviii]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


the  description  of  the  country,  in  Krinke  Kesmes, 
is  "very  strange  and  full  of  adventure,  and  is 
enlivened  with  journeys  and  learned  discus- 
sions"; that  the  life  of  the  hero  of  the  episode 
can  well  have  been  based  on  experience.  He 
ends  by  saying:  "Although  short,  it  is  written 
with  intuitive  creative  power,  moves  manifestly 
quite  within  the  frame-work  of  the  English  Rob- 
inson, to  which,  however,  it  is  materially  inferior 
in  depth  and  the  art  of  description. ' '  ^^ 

Under  " Nachahmungen  des  Originals  (Robin- 
sonaden) "  Ullrich  lists  the  German  editions: 
Leipzig,  1721  (Pis.  VI  and  VII)  ;  Delitsch,  1748 ; 
Delitsch  (1751)  ;  Schweinfort  und  Leipzig, 
1776;  Delitsch,  1776;  and  Leipzig,  1785.  Be- 
neath the  last  named,  in  small  tjT)e,  is  the  state- 
ment :  ' '  Our  book  is  only  a  translation  or  rather 
a  recast  of  a  work  that  appeared  before  De- 
foe's," and  then  Ullrich  gives  the  Dutch  title  of 
the  original  edition.  On  the  same  page  he 
ascribes  the  written  notes  in  the  Hague  copy  to 
the  * '  editor. "  ^^  No  further  comments  on  the 
Dutch  story  appear  to  have  been  made  by  Ull- 
rich. 


13  instead  of  24  companions;  assigns  64  pages  to  the 
episode;  translates  "Wakende  Boey"  by  "Wakre 
Bote,"  &c.,  &c. 

20  Hid.,  p.  47. 

21  Loc.  cit.,  p.  105. 


"lös" 


ROBINSON  CRUSOE, 

JDie  UfonUxè  curieufm  Avanturm 

HENRICHTEXELS 

SSJel(&«  im  3a&r  i6ss;öuf  t>m  mbt^^ 

wöen  (Iet) öcrimt,  unD  i)afclb|t  ahcin  ^  in  kr  u«* 
3irt)«  €wföm!dt  mif  €lm  wff  ?tr  unöerbörc  SBdfè 

f<itiïe6en  jugebroc^t /  tic It  tcUiome  t«u  gebübt,  entlw^ 

JDKf<  t»unt)«ramc  ^mbml)(\Un 

1^t  cc  fefbfl  [><ft$rict^Ti,  imt)  bem  |)wt.  de  PoTos  Anno 

1702.  in  eincn  Manufcript  cijmmumcMrct» 

YPegen  fetnct  utigemcmen  Cunc^Itac  itreCctirtttit 

^   ,        ^    ^^^Vh  H^  i72i. 
.©«r^fltl  ©eorö  Shrilïop^  ^infecr,  ^uc()()antrer, 
0}  fcrr  @rjnimi)**f  n  Q]aife  an  btt  €cfc  tc^  alttu 
tUmnuncUé.. 


'-■:«hi 


l'LATK    VI.     TITLK   l'AtIK  TO  TUK   ?:Lnns   STOKV.  GKRMAX   KDITIOX,    172] 


jr^^ 


PLATE  VII.    FRONTISPIECE   TO  THE   ELHO'S   STORY,   GERMAN   EDITION,    1721 


Introduction  [xxix] 


In  1899  Dr.  Jan  Ten  Brink,^-  citing  the  edi- 
tion of  1708,  says  of  it:  "There  is  no  evidence 
apparent  of  anything  of  interest  to  us  in  this 
book."  He  adds,  that  the  author  gives  a  brief 
history  of  a  proto-Robinson,  without  dreaming 
that  the  master  hand  of  Defoe  might  fashion 
from  similar  material  an  immortal  work  of  art; 
gives  a  short  synopsis  of  it,  unsatisfactory  and 
even  erroneous,  and  by  a  number  of  mis-state- 
ments ^^  affords  ground  for  the  surmise  that  he, 
too,  in  common  with  Kippenberg,  must  have  been 
drawing  information  from  a  secondary  source. 
He  repeats  the  error  about  the  notes  in  the 
Hague  copy,  which  he  characterizes  as  "effu- 
sions" and  ascribes  to  Ten  Hoorn,  citing  Ull- 
rich. ^^ 

It  was  Staverman  in  1907  who  first  announced 
the  real  significance  of  the  episode  in  Smeeks's 
little  book,  as  a  forerunner  of  Robinson,  and  al- 
though he  accords  it  some  praise,  he  also,  in 
agreement  with  Kippenberg,  assigns  to  it  a  sub- 
ordinate place.  He  says  :  ' '  The  style  is  slovenly 
and  dry,  like  that  of  a  chronicle ;  yet  the  descrip- 
tions are  frequently  given  with  animation  and 
telling  simplicity.  By  his  naive  expressions  of 
joy,  when  he  makes  a  useful  discovery,  the  boy 

22  Loc.  cit.,  pp.  439,  et  scq. 

23  "Vischhengels  droegr  hij  over  den  schouder." 

24  Loc.  cit.,  p.  105.     Cf.  PI.  V. 


[xxx]  Sjouke  Gabbes 


wins  our  sympathy, ' '  '^  &c.  He  quotes  a  con- 
temporary opinion  -*^  that  the  book  is  not  lacking 
in  entertainment.  He  thinks,  that  the  details 
recorded  as  elements  in  the  story  of  a  sojourn,  on 
an  uninhabited  island,  are  so  obvious  and  follow 
so  directly  from  the  ''situation,"  that  they  must 
flow,  as  it  were  automatically,  from  the  author's 
pen. 

In  differentiating  the  second  edition  of  Krinke 
Kesmes  from  the  first,  as  being  of  separate  print- 
ings, Staverman  relies  on  a  comma  on  the  title 
page,  after  "Posos,"  and  a  few  other  misprints, 
and  overlooks  the  difference  in  width  of  the  type- 
pages.  In  a  foot-note  on  page  53  he  also  gives 
pages  122  to  201,  as  those  of  the  episode,  instead 
of  125  to  192. 

Dr.  G.  J.  Hoogewerff  (1909)  was  the  first  to 
publish  a  critical  comparison  of  the  texts  of 
Krinke  Kesmes  and  Robinson,  and  a  partial  re- 
print of  the  pre-Robinson  episode.  He  cites 
many  points  of  coincidence,  and  justly  claims 
that  Defoe  used  the  earlier  text.-^  Hoogewerff 
goes  at  some  length  into  a  description  of  the 
Hague  copy  and  the  notes  in  it  made  in  Smeeks  's 
handwriting,  including  some  on  chirurgy,  and 
a  poem  by  Smeeks  to  his  son.  A  reference  in 
Smeeks 's  own  preface  to  Schouten 's  Yoyage  is 


25  Loc.  cit.,  pp.  53  et  seq. 
26Boel-2aal,  1708,  pp.  274-291. 
27  Loc.  cit.,  pp.  371  et  seq. 


Jniroduction  [xxxi] 


based  on  facts  recorded  in  voyages  previously 
made,  and  described  in  print,  which  give  to  the 
Dutch  story  an  air  of  probability-^  as  Selkirk's 
experience  gives  to  "Robinson." 

Hoogewerff  touches  upon  the  personality  of 
Smeeks  and  says  in  effect  that  he  must  have  been 
a  peculiar  man,  of  a  character  more  or  less 
bizarre ;  -''  that  he  certainly  possessed  imagina- 
tion in  large  measure,  and  that  this  above  all 
makes  it  worth  while  to  read  what  he  writes. 
The  episode  of  the  cabin  boy  is  the  proof  of 
Smeeks 's  ability  to  picture  things  to  himself. 
"With  a  character  such  as  this,  it  can  not 
surprise  us  that  he  it  was  that  conceived  the 
Eobinson  motif  and  first  worked  it  out  in  narra- 


2S  ' '  Walter  Schouten  of  Haarlem  says  in  his  Voyage 
to  the  East  Indies;  that  when  he  was  at  Batavia,  the 
ship,  the  Wakende  Boey,  was  sent  from  there  to  the 
Southland  to  get  the  shipwrecked  crew  of  the  Goude 
Draak  and  bring  them  to  Batavia,  but  did  not  find  any 
of  them.  This  demonstrable  truth  contributes  not  a  little 
to  our  belief  in  the  rest,  and  is  a  strong  witness  to  the 
credibility  of  the  Elho's  singular  story.  The  passages 
on  the  interior  discoveries  in  the  Southland  I  myself 
delivered,  with  my  own  hands,  to  the  High  and  Mighty 
Dr.  N.  Witsen  [a  famous  burgomaster  of  Amsterdam 
and  author  of  "Nord  en  Ost  Tartarye,"  Amsterdam, 
1705],  as  given  on  page  21  [of  Kririke  Kesmes]."  Cf. 
Hoogewerff,  loc.  cit.,  p.  389.  Smeeks  in  other  parts  of 
his  book  also  refers  to  passages  that  do  not  concern  us 
here. 

29/6 id.,  p.  397. 


[xxxii]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


tive  form. ' '  ^°  Hoogewerff ,  not  in  agreement 
with  Staverman,  says  that  the  merit  in  the  nar- 
rative is  not  restricted  to  single  passages,  but 
that  the  style  is  uniformly  smooth  and  sprightly ; 
the  story  itself  is  unstudied  and  exceedingly  well 
told,  least  of  all  dry  or  dull.  For  these  reasons 
alone,  even  without  its  very  probable  connection 
with  Robinson  Crusoe,  the  narrative  should  be 
of  interest  to  us.  It  is  as  if  the  writer  himself 
had  fallen,  in  the  episode,  under  the  charm  of 
his  material,  for  here  his  style  becomes  markedly 
more  sprightly  than  is  the  case  in  the  book  as  a 
whole.  The  tone,  too,  has  involuntarily  become 
different,  and  it  is  due  to  this  that  the  episode, 
which  is  far  and  away  the  best  and  most  attrac- 
tive part  of  the  book,  comes  to  stand  on  its  own 
merits.^^ 

Hoogewerff  also  believes  that  Defoe  knew 
Dutch  and  was  competent  to  read  Smeeks's  book. 
The  only  Dutch  quotation  in  Robinson  has  been 
pointed  to  as  erroneous  — "den  wild  zee"  (R.  C, 
p.  49)  — but  Hoogewerff  says  that  this  form  of 
expression  occurs  regularly  in  ship-journals  in 
the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries.^- 

In  the  next  year,  1910,  through  the  same 
medium,  S.  P.  L  'Honore  Naber  confirms  and  sup- 


solbid.,  p.  397. 

31  Ibid.,  p.  386. 

32  Ibid.,  p.  380. 


Introduction  [xxxiii] 


plements  Hoogewerff's  conclusions^*  and  goes 
into  the  sources  from  which  Smeeks  in  turn  de- 
rived his  material,  or  rather  some  of  the  inci- 
dents of  his  voyage,  which  Naber  links  with  his- 
torical events  and  names,  and  which  therefore 
lend  an  air  of  probability  to  Smeeks 's  narrative, 
as  Smeeks  himself  claimed,  and  which  must  have 
made  at  least  a  momentary  impression  on  his 
Dutch  readers.  Naber  says  that  the  description 
by  the  cabin  boy  **  of  his  outfit  and  of  all  matters 

33  Loc.  cit.,  pp.  427  et  seq. 

3*  Mr.  Naber,  in  a  letter  communicated  to  the  writer, 
says  in  effect: 

"It  is  possible  that  a  boy  went  astray  on  the  coast 
of  West  Australia  during  De  Vlamingh's  visit  (1697). 
The  narrative  of  that  voyage  {cf.  Historie  der  Sevar- 
ambes,  Amsterdam,  1701)  speaks  of  a  party  sent  ashore, 
composed  of  '  32  to  33 '  men  —  one  man  doubtful.  If 
we  check  the  deaths  on  board,  against  the  ship's  records 
(State  Archives,  The  Hague),  we  find  the  name  of  a  boy 
blotted  out.  He  was  Sjouke  GaVbes  of  Heerenveen 
(Frisia).  Though  he  is  reported  to  have  died  on  board 
the  ship,  it  is  possible  that  he  was  the  thirty-third  per- 
son, about  whom  the  printed  story  is  silent. 

* '  There  were  sea-captains  that  kept  upon  the  books 
the  names  of  dead  members  of  their  crews,  until  the 
ships  had  nearly  reached  their  destination,  in  order 
thereby  to  secure  for  themselves  additional  compensa- 
tion for  victuals,  and  perhaps  also  for  wages. 

"Sjouke  Gabbes  may  thus  be  the  Dutch  prototype  of 
Robinson. ' ' 

Wo  need  a  name  for  our  Dutch  cabin  boy,  and  prefer 
to   take   one   with   a   historical   background,   to   that   of 


[xxxiv]  SjoiiJce  Gabhes 


pertaining  to  seafaring  are  so  correct  that  they 
must  at  least  have  been  looked  through  by  an 
expert  sailor.  In  his  own  preface  Smeeks  had 
distinctly  claimed  of  his  book:  "This  is  the 
work  of  a  seaman,"  and  Naber  thinks  he  must 
have  been  a  ship's  surgeon  before  he  settled  at 
Zwolle. 

In  1903  Dr.  Leon  Polak  published  a  contribu- 
tion to  the  subject  of  pre-Robinsonades  in  the 
Netherlands.^^  This  article  is  in  German  and 
refers  specially  to  the  work  of  Hoogewerff,  and 
of  Naber ;  is  in  agreement  generally  with  the  con- 
clusions of  those  writers,  and  corrects  some 
slight  mis-statements  of  earlier  authors.  Polak 
adds  a  few  coincidences  between  Smeeks  and 
Defoe  thitherto  overlooked,  among  them  that  of 
the  footprints,  or  footprint,  in  the  sand.  He  too 
falls  into  the  error  of  misquoting  Robinson  as 
well  as  the  Dutch  boy.  The  Dutch  boy,  he  says, 
made  a  wagon.  "Robinson  does  not  succeed  in 
doing  so  until  later  (see  above)."  We  can  find 
no  mention  of  a  ivagon  by  Robinson.  He  speaks 
of  a  wheelbarrow  (p.  85),  made  a  wheel  for  his 
grindstone  (p.  96),  and  one  for  use  in  shaping 
earthenware  (p.  170).  Polak  interprets  "bas- 
sen" (swivel-guns)  as  "cannon,"  (?)  and  finally, 
like  Hoogewerif,  credits  the  Dutch  boy,  after  he 

Henrich  Texel,  which  has  been  used  in  the  German  edi- 
tion of  1721  —  and  that,  too,  in  spite  of  the  anachronism. 
35  Ger.  Eom.  Monatsschrift,  1914,  VI,  pp.  304  et  seq. 


Introduction  [xxxv] 


had  made  a  second  palisade  around  his  dwelling, 
with  using  his  ladder  to  climb  in  and  out  ( !),  as 
Robinson  had  been  accustomed  to  do  from  the 
beginning.^*' 

Polak 's  opinion  of  the  sailor-boy's  narrative  is 
appreciative  and  is  expressed  as  follows :  ' '  The 
episode  is  in  contrast  with  the  dry  and  singular 
matter  of  the  main,  theme,  by  the  vividness  and 
easy  flow  of  its  style  ...  in  the  words  of 
Hettner  'It  does  not  indeed  reach  the  poesy  of 
Defoe,  but  has  a  firm  hold  on  the  real  Robinson 
tone.  There  is  no  doubt  that  it  is  based  on  actual 
experience,  and  relates  it  smoothly,  with  anima- 
tion and  a  charming  picturesqueness,  and  there- 
by wins  our  hearts. '  ' ' 

Before  we  proceed  to  examine  in  detail  the 
episode  in  Krinke  Kesmes,  and  pass  final  judg- 
ment on  Defoe's  putative  indebtedness  to  the 
latter,  let  us  consider  a  peculiarity  that  is  quite 
prominent  in,  and  perhaps  confined  to,  his  Rob- 
inson Crusoe,  in  order  that  we  may  ascertain,  if 
possible,  whether  it  be  in  part  or  altogether  nat- 
ural, or  artificial ;  spontaneous  or  assumed  ;  the 
result  of  carelessness,  or  a  literary  method  delib- 
erately adopted. 

Carried  along  in  the  rapid  current  of  Robin- 
son's recital  of  events  and  mental  reflections  in 


36  Ihid.,  p.   307.     Eobinson  's  use  of  the  term 
non ' '  was  only  fignrative.     Cf.  infra,  p.   74, 


[xxxvi]  Sjouke  Gabhes 


his  daily  life,  we  are  apt  to  ascribe  to  exaggera- 
tion some  seeming  contradictions,  which  in  a 
more  serious  work  would  at  once  arrest  attention 
and  excite  comment,  or  in  other  cases,  perhaps 
when  we  think  we  have  detected  inconsistencies, 
we  criticize  without  due  study  of  the  context. 
Some  of  these  cases,  indeed,  have  already  been 
widely  noticed,  the  best  known,  for  example,  be- 
ing Robinson's  assertion  that  he  filled  his 
pockets,  on  the  wreck,  with  biscuit,  after  he  had 
left  his  clothes  on  the  beach.^^  But  even  if  we 
condone  instances  of  this  kind  when  a  belated 
explanation  is  given,  we  are  none  the  less  struck 
by  the  apparently  unnecessary  repetition  ^^  of 
many  of  Robinson's  statements,  especially  dur- 
ing his  early  life  on  the  island.    His  acts  are  first 

37  In  spite  of  Kobinson's  subsequent  explanation,  he 
commits  here  what  is  probably  an  unintentional  incon- 
sistency, when  he  allows  his  clothes  to  ' '  swim  away, ' ' 
beyond  recovery,  as  he  evidently  wishes  us  to  infer,  for 
he  overlooks  the  fact  that  the  tide  was  setting  in  to  the 
shore,  and  that  what  little  wind  there  was,  blew  in  the 
same  direction  (p.  58). 

38  Ullrich  notices  this  habit  of  repetition,  terms  it  a 
weakness,  and  says  it  is  due  to  the  ' '  situation ' '  of  the 
hero.  {Leben  und  Abenteuer  des  Eobinson  Crusoe.  Dx. 
Hermann  Ullrich,  Halle,  p.  IX.)  Hettner  says  of  it: 
"after  the  manner  of  uneducated  people  he  often  re- 
peats one  and  the  same  thought  twice  or  thrice,  with  the 
same  or  with  only  slightly  different  words,  {Loc.  cit., 
chap.  3,  p.  307.) 


Introduction  [xxxvii] 


described  in  ordinary  narrative  form,  and  then 
repeated  in  the  journal  —  sometimes  more  than 
once  —  perhaps  to  refresh  the  reader's  memory, 
but  frequently  to  add  some  new  detail,  and 
oftener  than  not,  in  words  that  express  or  in- 
volve a  contradiction  of  what  went  before.  This 
repetition  doubtless  has  its  literary  value,  but  it 
maj^  be  carried  to  an  extreme,  and  result  in  con- 
fusion. 

When,  for  example,  we  read  on  one  page  that 
after  the  night  which  Kobinson  first  spent  in  a 
tree,  he  found  himself  greatly  refreshed,  and 
that  the  weather  was  clear  the  next  day  (p.  54), 
and  then,  in  an  account  of  the  same  night,  on  a 
later  page,  in  the  journal,  that  ''it  rained  all 
night,"  and  the  next  "day  also  it  continu 'd  rain- 
ing" (p,  82),  we  are  at  first  inclined  to  think 
that  the  author's  memory  was  at  fault. 

When,  again,  Robinson  on  one  page  says,  not 
later  than  his  eighth  visit  to  the  wreck,  that  his 
raft  overset  (p.  65),  and  in  the  next  paragraph 
tells  us  that  this  was  earlier  than  October  13th, 
and  we  find  in  his  journal  that  the  mishap  oc- 
curred on  October  20th  (p.  82),  we  begin  to 
wonder  whether  any  part  of  the  journal  was 
checked  against  the  earlier  text. 

So,  too,  after  the  thunder  storm,  when  Robin- 
son says  he  spent  a  fortnight  in  making  "Bags 
and  Boxes"  (p.  70),  which  in  the  journal  are 
' '  Chests  or  Boxes, ' '  and  which  in  the  latter  case 


[xxxviii]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


took  him  only  three  daj's  to  make,  we  can  attrib- 
ute the  unimportant  change  in  phraseology  to  a 
desire  on  Defoe's  part  to  "vary  the  sound,"  as 
Swift  recommends,  but  we  begin  to  doubt 
whether  there  may  not,  after  all,  be  method  in 
the  repeated  discrepancy  in  his  figures.  Are 
these  changes  any  more  than  extreme  forms  of 
the  more  variegated  word  pictures  which  came 
to  Defoe  as  he  got  more  deeply  into  his  subject? 
And  was  he  too  negligent  or  too  hurried  to  go 
back  and  reconcile  the  earlier  part  of  his  text 
with  them? 

While  Robinson  Crusoe,  the  book,  was  fresh  in 
the  public  mind,  it  was  assailed  by  critics  ^®  who 
noted  many  of  its  errors,  such  as  the  incident  of 
the  trowsers,  the  alleged  want  of  clothing  and 
weapons  in  Robinson's  tabulation  (p.  77),  the 
glint  from  the  eyes  of  the  goat  in  the  cave  that 
was  ''perfectly  dark"  (p.  209),  and  others.  In 
the  numerous  editions  that  were  issued  between 
1719  and  1722,  there  must  have  been  ample  op- 
portunity to  correct  such  apparent  errors  as 
some  of  the  above  seem  to  be,  but  none  of  the 
conspicuous  ones  are  noted  in  the  "errata"  at 
the  end  of  Vol.  I,  of  the  first  edition,  nor  else- 
where, then  or  later,  so  far  as  we  know.  It  is 
almost  inconceivable  that  such  statements,  by 

39  Cf.  The  Life  and  Strange  Surprising  Adventures  of 
Daniel  DeFoe  ^-c,  by  Charles  Gildon.  London,  1724 
(2nd  Ed.). 


Introduction  [xxxix] 


whomsoever  made,  would  be  suffered  to  remain, 
if  they  were  accidental.  They  can  not  have  been 
the  result  of  carelessness  by  Defoe.  Do  they  not 
rather  indicate  a  premeditated  plan  or  method? 

Beginning  with  slight  inconsistencies  —  some- 
times mere  exaggerations  —  such  as  the  ladder 
standing  always  in  the  inside  of  his  hedge  at  the 
bower  (p.  180)  ;  the  rain  for  twelve  days  so  in- 
cessant that  Robinson  could  not  "stir,"  and  yet 
he  ventured  out  twice  (p.  120)  ;  and  the  grain, 
"all  devour 'd"  by  the  rats  (p.  90),  we  find  most 
prominent  and  prevalent  a  form  of  modification 
of  previous  statements,  that  adds  to  the  ideas  in 
them  something  new,  or  explains  away  some  dif- 
ficulty. 

It  is  in  this  middle  ground,  between  the  ex- 
tremes of  what  may  be  a  mere  exaggeration, 
understood  as  such,  and  the  irreconcilable  con- 
tradiction, that  we  think  we  can  more  clearly 
discern  method  on  Defoe's  part.  Next  to  the 
trowsers  incident,  that  of  the  grain  is  illumina- 
tive. Robinson  first  says  that  the  barley  and 
wheat  which  he  obtained  from  the  wreck  had 
been  * '  laid  by  for  some  Fowls  which  we  brought 
to  Sea  with  us,"  but  that  he  found  afterwards, 
that  the  "Rats  had  eaten  or  spoil'd  it  all"  (p. 
57).  In  the  journal  he  says  he  supposed  the 
"corn"  was  provided,  not  for  his  voyage,  but 
before,  when  the  ship  came  from  Lisbon.  He 
repeats  that  it  was  "all  devour 'd  with  [by]  the 


[xl]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Rats"  (p.  90),  but  adds:  "I  saw  nothing  in  the 
Bag  but  Husks  and  Dust. ' '  This  supplementary 
saving  clause  not  only  modifies  the  positive  char- 
acter of  the  assertion  that  the  grain  was  "all 
devour 'd,"  but  the  substitution  of  "com" 
(grain)  makes  possible  the  presence  in  the  bag 
of  rice  also.*" 

Robinson's  cave  originally  (p.  69)  was  a  cel- 
lar, or  in  his  "fancy"  a  kitchen  (p.  70),  but  in 
the  journal  it  assumed  also  the  functions  of  a 
warehouse  or  magazine,  and  dining  room  (p.  86). 

His  early  references  to  his  building  operations 
are  clearly  of  intent  —  not  of  performance.*"^ ' '  I 
had  many  Thoughts,"  he  says,  ".  .  .  what 
kind  of  Dwelling  to  make"  (p.  67) ;  "I  resolved 
to  pitch  my  Tent"  (p.  68)  ;  "after  I  had  laid 
my  Scheme  for  the  setting  up  of  my  Tent"  (p. 
69)  ;  and  even  in  the  journal,  he  marked  out  a 
semi-circle  for  his  encampment,  and  "resolved 
to  strengthen  it  with  a  Wall"  (p.  82).  He  first 
moves  all  his  stores  into  the  space  thus  defined, 
sets  up  his  double  tent  of  canvas,  houses  under  it 
his  perishable  goods,  closes  the  gap  in  the  wall, 
and,  after  this,  proceeds  to  dig  a  cave  just  behind 

■*o  The  shifting  of  Robinson 's  wreck  has  also  given 
trouble,  especially  to  foreign  students.  Cf.  Hoogewertf, 
loc.  cit.,  pp.  374  and  380. 

*oa  Cf.  A.  New  Voyage  Bound  the  World.  London, 
1725.     Pt.  II,  p.  146. 


Introduction  [xli] 


his  tent  (p.  69),  Notice  the  order.  On  a  subse- 
quent page,  however,  he  says :  *  *  I  have  already 
observed  how  I  brought  all  my  Goods  into  this 
Pale;  ...  I  had  no  room  to  turn  my  self; 
so  I  set  myself  to  enlarge  my  Cave"  &c.  (p.  78). 
Then  Kobinson  adds:  "And  now  I  began  to 
apply  mj^self  to  make  such  necessary  things  as 
I  found  I  most  wanted,  particularly  a  Chair  and 
a  Table"  (p.  78).  "However,  I  made  me  a 
Table  and  a  Chair,  as  I  observ'd  above,  in  the 
first  Place"  (p.  79).  This  description  may  have 
been  to  Defoe  merely  an  anticipative  summary 
of  what  he  was  about  to  describe  in  detail,  but  to 
us  it  brings  confusion,  when  connected  with  what 
we  read  in  the  journal:  "Nov.  17.  This  Day  I 
began  to  dig  behind  my  Tent  into  the  Rock"  (p. 
84) ;  "Nov.  23.  ...  1  spent  eighteen  Days 
entirely  in  widening  and  deepening  my  Cave, 
.  .  .  During  all  this  Time,  I  work'd  to  make 
this  Room  or  Cave  spacious  enough  to  accom- 
modate me  as  a  Warehouse,"  &c.  (p.  86)  ;  "Jan. 
3.  I  BEGAN  MY  Fence  OR  Wall.  "  (The  capitals 
are  ours.) 

Whether  this  and  similar  contradictions  are  an 
extreme  type  of  explanatory  modification,  which 
Defoe  thought  he  might  properly  apply  in  this 
way,  may  be  a  matter  of  opinion.  Perhaps  the 
journal,  in  which  most  or  all  of  them  occur,  was 
written  long  enough  after  the  rest  of  the  text,  to 


[xlii]  Sjouke  Gahhes 


impair  the  author's  remembrance  of  what  he  had 
previously  stated.  But  here  again,  why  was  this 
not  righted  subsequently  ?  *^ 

"Whatever  be  the  judgment  on  Defoe's  incon- 
sistencies and  contradictions,  these  afford  us  a 
useful  background  without  which  we  might  less 
easily  be  able  to  recognize  the  material  he  has 
taken  from  Krinke  Kesmes,  by  the  assimilation 
or  distortion  of  which  he  has  in  places  gone  far 
to  conceal  its  origin. 

Let  us  first  give  a  very  brief  outline  of  the  life 
of  Sjouke  Gabbes  after  he  found  himself  left  on 
the  coast  of  the  Southland,  which  he  supposed 
to  be  an  island  of  unknown  size,  south  of  the 
equator.  Separated  from  his  ship-mates,  he 
passes  several  days  in  the  forest,  but  finds  edible 
fruit  in  abundance,  and  at  length  a  stream  which 
he  follows  down  to  a  basin  near  the  coast,  where 
he  provides  himself  with  fish,  and  builds  at  the 
foot  of  a  hill  a  temporary  shelter  of  boughs. 

On  a  sand  dune,  near  which  he  notices  foot- 
prints, he  finds  a  stake,  and  a  note  from  his  com- 
rades directing  him  to  his  sea-chest  and  other 
things  left  buried  by  them  at  two  separate  places 
in  the  sand,  for  his  use.  The  food  from  his  finds 
helps  to  sustain  him,  and,  provided  with  tools 
and  weapons  from  the  same  sources,  he  begins  a 

4iFor  inconsistencies  in  dates,  cf.  W.  T.  Hastings, 
Mod.  Lan.  Notes,  June,  1912. 


Introduction  [xliii] 


life  of  activity,  builds  huts,  —  a  "  fortress ' '  and 
two  ' '  castles, ' '  —  coats  them  with  clay,  makes  a 
ladder,  and  crude  earthen  ware ;  weaves  baskets, 
tables,  and  stools ;  utilizes  woven  rushes  for  cov- 
erings and  even  for  clothes;  shoots  wild  cattle; 
fishes ;  explores  the  country ;  builds  an  ' '  out- 
look" on  his  hill;  keeps  a  journal  and  is  other- 
wise busily  employed. 

By  and  by  a  wreck  is  cast  on  shore  and  it  pro- 
vides him  with  further  food  and  supplies  and 
with  a  companion  in  the  shape  of  a  large  dog. 
With  a  piety  due  to  his  early  training,  he  cheer- 
fully accommodates  himself  to  his  lot,  and  gives 
repeated  expression  to  his  contentment.  Later, 
he  is  thrice  visited  by  natives;  on  the  last  two 
occasions  kills  many  of  them,  and  even  cuts  off 
the  head  of  one.  He  is  finally  captured,  how- 
ever, adopted  by  the  tribe,  and  later  rescued  by 
the  civilized  inhabitants  of  Krinke  Kesmes,  in 
whose  midst  he  was  found  by  De  Posos.  He  gave 
to  the  latter  the  relation  of  his  adventures,  the 
episode  which  is  the  subject  of  this  discussion. 

To  anyone  familiar  with  his  Robinson  the  fore- 
going outline  of  the  cabin  boy's  experience  will 
recall  many  points  of  resemblance  to  the  other 
narrative.  These  embody  the  same  general  mo- 
tives ;  isolated  life  of  a  human  being  on  an  island, 
self-dependence,  ceaseless  occupation  with  result- 
ing contentment,  and  an  approach  to  a  solution 


[xliv]  Sjoitke  Gahhes 


of  the  problem  of  wringing  one's  existence 
single-handed  from  Nature.  So  far  as  the  frame- 
work is  concerned,  both  stories  might  have  been 
conceived  by  the  same  mind.  What  has  been 
termed  the  Robinson  motif  is  fully  expressed  in 
the  Dutch  narrative,  more  succinctly,  more 
clearly  than  in  Robinson,  and  quite  as  effectively. 
In  this  larger  aspect  of  the  case  it  is  not  improb- 
able that  Defoe  drew  inspiration  from  the  older 
story,  or  possibly  both  authors  drew  from  a  com- 
mon source,  which,  unless  it  be  Simpli- 
cissimus,  is  still  to  be  discovered.  When 
we  come  to  consider  details,  we  must  re- 
member that  certain  human  wants  would 
naturally  call  for  means  of  satisfying  them 
through  the  aid  of  similar  agents,  and  that  a 
sense  of  danger  would  naturally  be  accompanied 
by  reactions,  identical  or  at  least  similar.  As 
previous  writers  have  happily  termed  it,  the 
"situation"  is  likely  to  govern  the  action.  But 
while  single  incidents  of  the  same  nature  might 
occur  to  two  individuals,  it  is  not  likely  that  a 
series  of  ideas  would  present  themselves  in  al- 
most the  same  garb  to  two  exiles  accustomed  to 
environments,  different  as  are  those  of  Dutch 
and  English  life,  which  we  shall  proceed  to  show 
occurred  in  the  construction  by  each,  of  that 
material  object,  a  cabin  or  hut. 

In  our  comparison  of  the  two  stories,  attention 


Introduction  [xlv] 


may  first  be  more  specifically  called  to  the  fact 
that  there  were  three  several  occasions  on  which 
the  Dutch  boy,  in  common  with  Robinson,  came 
into  the  possession  of  food  and  supplies.  In  the 
first  two  the  source  was  the  same  for  each  exile : 
for  the  boy,  deposits,  partly  his  own  property,  at 
different  places  in  the  sand ;  for  Robinson,  stores 
from  his  own  ship,  both  before  and  after  the 
shifting  of  the  wreck.  In  the  third  case  each 
party  drew  from  a  strange  wreck.  This  may,  of 
course,  be  merely  a  coincidence,  but  on  the  occa- 
sion of  finding  his  buried  sea-chest  —  his  first 
source  of  supply  —  the  boy  had  been  directed  to 
its  location  by  a  note  attached  to  a  stake,  to 
which  was  also  nailed  a  tin  plate,  which  he  says 
bore  the  name  of  his  ship  and  the  ''skipper." 
On  Robinson's  first  acquisition  of  food  and  sup- 
plies (p.  57),  he  found  some  "cases  of  Bottles 
belonging  to  our  Skipper,"  and  this  is  the  only 
instance  in  Robinson's  entire  narrative  where  he 
uses  the  term  "skipper."  Elsewhere  the  word 
used  is  generally  "Captain"  —  once  or  twice, 
"Master."  This  incident  of  the  stake  is  derived 
by  Smeeks  from  the  journal  of  the  Nijptangh, 
the  ship  from  which  our  putative  hero,  Sjouke 
Gabbes,  was  reported  missing  (supra,  p. 
xxxiii),^-  but  there  is  no  possibility  that  Defoe 
had  that  record  in  mind,  in  his  "Cases  of  Bot- 


4-  Cf.  Naber,  loc  cit.,  pp.  435  ct  seq. 


[xlvi]  Sjouke  Gabbes 


ties,"  for  there  is  no  connection  in  time  nor  in 
thought  between  the  two,  as  there  is  between 
Eobinson's  supplies  and  those  of  the  cabin  boy. 

"We  have  been  told,  also,  that  there  were  three 
visitations  of  natives  in  each  story,  the  first  of 
which  was  bloodless.  On  the  others  there  was 
warfare,  and  the  decapitation  of  the  savage  by 
the  cabin  boy  on  the  second  visitation  is  impor- 
tant, perhaps  chiefly  from  its  position  in  the 
narrative,  which  corresponds  in  time  exactly 
with  the  similar  act  by  Friday. 

The  one  incident  in  Robinson  that  has  been 
exploited  both  by  its  author  and  by  illustrators, 
that  has  appealed  to  the  imagination  of  genera- 
tions of  readers,  and  has  contributed  perhaps  as 
much  to  the  fame  of  the  book  as  anything  else 
in  it,  is  the  finding  of  a  footprint  in  the  sand. 
And  yet  this  same  fact  is  twice  briefly  recorded 
in  the  Dutch  narrative.  The  fact  chronicled  in 
a  few  lines  in  the  earlier  story  is  expanded  into 
pages  in  the  later  one,  and  while  the  dramatic 
skill  of  the  later  author  is  preeminent,  we  are 
here  concerned,  not  with  a  comparison  of  literary 
merit,  so  much  as  with  the  question  whether 
Defoe  knew  Smeeks's  work,  and  borrowed  from 
it.  Perhaps  we  should  not  attach  too  much  im- 
portance to  this  parallel  as  a  support  to  our 
argument,  for  a  similar  observation  is  frequent 
in  early  Australian  voyages.    However,  it  is  one 


Introduction  [xlvii] 


of  many  incidents  common  to  both  narratives, 
and  as  such  is  entitled  to  weight  as  contributory 
evidence. 

Passing  now  from  statements  recorded  alike  in 
both  narratives,  let  us  consider  two  examples 
where  Defoe's  mannerism  of  modification,  or  of 
contradiction,  is  quite  conspicuous.  Sjouke  sub- 
sisted largely  on  fish,  and  says:  ''The  basin 
furnished  me  with  fish  as  I  wanted  it ;  dried  fish 
was  my  bread,  which  I  ate  boiled  or  roasted" 
(K.  K.,  p.  148).  Robinson  covers  the  entire  sub- 
ject of  fish  in  a  paragraph  of  seven  lines,  in  his 
journal.  In  the  last  three  lines  he  says:  "yet 
I  frequently  caught  Fish  enough,  as  much  as  I 
cared  to  eat;  all  which  I  dry'd  in  the  Sun,  and 
eat  them  dry"!  (p.  98). 

As  convincing  as  anything,  is  the  bird  inci- 
dent. Sjouke,  with  a  gun,  goes  into  the  bush  for 
pleasure  and  to  try  if  he  might  get  a  bull.  He 
sees  on  a  high  tree  a  large  bird,  and  shoots  it. 
Then  he  describes  its  plumage  in  detail,  and  says 
of  its  claws  that  they  were  very  thick,  red,  and 
curved.  He  and  his  dog  lived  on  its  tidbits  while 
they  lasted  (K.  K.,  p.  161).  Robinson,  during 
the  interval  in  which  he  was  engaged  in  storing 
his  powder,  went  out  with  his  gun  "as  well  to 
divert  myself,  as  to  see  if  I  could  kill  anything 
fit  for  food"  (p.  70),  and  on  another  such  occa- 
sion says :  "  I  shot  at  a  great  Bird  which  I  saw 


[xlviii]  8jouke  Gabies 


sitting  upon  a  Tree  on  the  Side  of  a  great  "Wood 
.  .  .  I  took  it  to  be  a  Kind  of  a  Hawk,  its 
Color  and  Beak  resembling  it,  but  had  no  Talons 
or  Claws  more  than  common,  its  Flesh  was  Car- 
rion, and  fit  for  nothing"  (p.  61). 

This  incident  is  quoted,  in  part,  by  Hooge- 
werff  *^  and  very  briefly  noticed  by  Polak.**  The 
former  author,  by  omitting  the  last  two  items  in 
the  description,  seems  to  us  to  miss  the  chief 
significance  of  the  passage.  Defoe  here  again  is 
true  to  his  adopted  method.  He  states  the  facts 
set  forth  in  the  Dutch  text,  quite  in  agreement 
with  the  general  setting  down  to  the  last  two, 
which  he  quite  as  significantly  denies,  much  in 
effect  as  if  he  had  added  — '  *  unlike  the  bird  de- 
scribed in  Krinke  Kesmes. " 

Sjouke's  Hut 
Before  completing  his  first  substantial  hut  the 
cabin  boy  had  to  make  a  ladder,  in  order  to  reach 
the  higher  parts  of  the  wall  and  the  roof  .*^  This 
hut  was  round,  and  was  provided  with  peep- 
holes, and  a  square  opening  in  the  roof  with  a 
lid.  The  hut  was  coated  with  clay,  which  be- 
came as  firm  and  hard  as  brick.    Almost  imme- 


*^Loc.  cit.,  p.  376. 

44  Loc.  dt.,  p.  306. 

45  Some  of  his  commentators  wrongly  state  that  he 
used  his  ladder  as  Robinson  did  his,  to  provide  access  to 
his  hut.  Cf.  Hoogewerff,  loc.  cit.,  p.  377,  who  makes 
several  slips,  concerning  Robinson,  on  the  same  page. 


Introduction,  [xlix] 


diately  after  its  completion,  he  built  an  addition 
to  it,  square  in  form,  but  in  other  respects  like 
the  earlier  structure.  These  were  his  "castles." 
Then  he  made  a  much  stronger  hut  —  a  "fort- 
ress ' '  —  for  which  he  utilized  the  trunks  of  trees 
which  he  found  growing  in  a  circle,  as  if  they 
had  been  planted  by  some  one.  For  a  wider  view 
he  resorted  to  his  hill  close  by  —  his  Outlook, 

After  the  first  visitation  of  natives  he  pro- 
tected his  door  by  extending  two  parallel  hedges 
eighteen  feet,  one  on  each  side  of  it,  and  closed  the 
resulting  passage-way  with  a  gate.  He  also  pro- 
vided himself  with  four  swivel-guns  from  the 
wreck  (K.  K.,  p.  170).  After  the  second  visita- 
tion he  cut  four  loop-holes  through  his  wall,  and 
around  his  fort  planted,  for  two  paces  in  width, 
stakes  sharpened  at  the  top  (p.  177). 

Kobinson's  Habitation 

One  of  the  essentials  of  Robinson's  daily  life, 
and  closely  associated  with  his  wall  and  habita- 
tion, was  his  ladder.  It  was  for  some  time  his 
only  means  of  communication,  over  his  wall,  with 
the  world  outside.  It  was  mentioned  in  his  gen- 
eral plan  or  outline  of  development  (p.  68),  and 
was  laconically  noted  in  the  journal  in  the  words 
"I  finished  my  Ladder"  (p.  93). 

Beginning  with  the  ladder,  the  evolution  of 
Robinson 's  * '  castle  "  or  "  fortress ' '  follows  close- 
ly that  of  the  cabin  boy.    Before  or  after  his  wall 


[1]  Sjouke  Gabhes 


was  finished  —  we  are  uncertain  which  —  Robin- 
son began  to  excavate,  behind  the  place  selected 
for  it,  a  cave  which  he  later  enlarged.  Simul- 
taneously with  this  enlargement  he  cut  a  pas- 
sage-way through  the  rock  and  made  a  ground 
floor  exit,  which  came  out  beyond  the  end  of  his 
wall  and  was  therefore  undefended.  This  exit 
he  then  used  habitually,  instead  of  his  ladder  — 
"and  so  I  came  in  and  out  this  "Way"  (p.  121). 
This  was  at  the  end  of  his  first  year.  Later,  for 
greater  security,  he  closed  the  outer  end  of  the 
passage  with  a  door  (p.  247). 

When  he  first  announced  the  covering-in  of 
his  palisaded  enclosure  —  effected  at  the  end  of 
about  eighteen  months  —  Robinson  said  nothing 
about  any  opening  in  the  roof,  possibly  because 
he  was  then  using  the  back  exit.  He  brought 
up  the  subject,  however,  after  Friday  came, 
and  characteristically  supplied  the  omis- 
sion thus:  "My  first  wall  had  now  a  compleat 
Roof  over  it  .  .  .  and  at  the  Hole  or  Place 
which  was  left  to  go  in  or  out  by  the  Ladder,  I 
had  plac'd  a  kind  of  Trap-door,  which  if  it  had 
been  attempted  on  the  Outside,  would  not  have 
open'd  [sic]  at  all,  but  would  have  fallen  down, 
and  made  a  great  Noise"  (p.  247). 

For  added  safety  in  case  of  attack  Robinson 
planted  a  double  row  of  osier  stakes  in  a  semi- 
circle around  his  first  wall,  which  since  the  ad- 


Introductwn  [li] 

dition  of  his  roof  had,  of  course,  been  an  integral 
part  of  his  hut  or  " castle,"  with  the  door  as  his 
usual  place  of  egress.  When  he  discovered  the 
footprint,  twelve  years  later,  these  stakes  had 
become  trees,  and  by  the  addition  of  some  posts 
and  earth  he  converted  them  into  another  wall 
or  rampart,  thus  covering  his  door.  In  the  wall 
he  cut  seven  loop  holes,  and  ''through"  them 
planted  his  muskets.  Then,  outside  of  this  wall 
and  at  a  distance  from  it,  he  put  into  the  ground 
as  he  affirms,  20,000  stakes  of  osier,  which  in  five 
years  became  an  impassable  grove.*^ 

If  we  have  not  already  drawn  our  conclusions 
as  to  Defoe's  abstractions  from  Smeeks's  narra- 
tive, enough  examples  have  been  given  of  inci- 
dents common  to  both  stories,  to  prepare  us  to 
realize  the  force  of  other  parallels  which  we  shall 
find  noted  in  subsequent  pages  in  connection 
with  the  full  text  of  the  cabin  boy's  story. 

It  will  be  apparent  that  Defoe  was  indebted  to 
the  Dutch  author,  not  only  for  more  of  his  ma- 
terial than  he  was  to  Woodes  Rogers  and  Selkirk 
but^lso  that  in  Smeeks's  episode,  whatever  its 

*6R.  says  of  this  grove,  that  he  "left  no  Avenue"  (p 
191),  but  twelve  years  later  he  affirms  that  the  grove 
was  "become  a  little  Wood,  and  so  thick,  that  it  was 
unpassable  in  any  Part  of  it,  but  at  that  one  Side,  where 

In^^^TT'"^  ""^  '""'  ^^^^°g  ^^^'^Se  into  it"   (p. 
306.     Cf.K.K.,j>.  177).  ^^ 


[lii]  Sjouke  Gabhes 


limitations,  we  have  the  earlier  conception  of  the 
so-called  Robinson  motif,  told  in  a  natural, 
simple,  and  sympathetic  way,  which  retains  our 
interest  from  beginning  to  end,  and  in  places 
even  awakens  our  emotions. 


THE  NARRATIVE  OF  SJOUKE  GAB- 

BES,  COMPARED  WITH  THAT  OF 

ROBINSON  CRUSOE 


^Page 
numbers 
refer  to 
Krinke 
Kesmes] 
(125) 

Narrator 

reaches 

Batavia. 


Sails  on 
the   Wa- 
kende 
Boey   to 
the  South- 
land. 


To  rescue 
survivors 
of  the 
Goude 
Draak. 


KRINKE  KESMES 

I  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years 
and  could  read  and  write 
when  I  arrived  at  Batavia  as 
cabin  boy  in  the  Company's  ^ 
service.  This  was  in  the  year 
1655.  After  I  had  been  there 
three  months  I  was  one  day 
ordered  to  repair  with  my 
sea-chest  the  next  morning  on 
board  the  ship,  the  Wakende 
Boey,  which  was  to  sail  to  the 
Southland  to  rescue  the  cast- 
aways of  the  ship,  the  Goude 
Drauk,  which  had  been  lost 
there,  and  bring  them  to  Ba- 
tavia. 

On  our  arrival  off  the 
Southland  we  found  the 
wreck  of  the  ship,  and  fired 


KOBINSON 
CEUSOE 

[Quotations  are 
from  the  third  edi- 
tion of  W.  Taylor, 
London,  1719, 

' '  lion  type, ' '  i.e., 
the  issue  of  that 
edition  in  which 
the  tail-piece,  p. 
364,  shows  a  lion 
—  not  a  phoenix. 

Eeferences  are 
to  any  of  the  Tay- 
lor editions,  1719- 
1722.  Volume  I 
in  those  editions 
has  364  pages,  so 
that  any  reference 
may  be  located  in 
any  other  un- 
abridged edition  by 
using  the  propor- 
tion 


1  The  Dutch  East  India  Company. 


Narrative   of  Sjoiike   Gahhes 


Barren 
prospect. 


(126) 


Party  set 
ashore. 

Footprints 
(Cf. 
p.  xlvi). 


three  cannon  shots  to  signal 
our  presence,  but  there  was 
no  sign  of  anyone  upon  the 
strand.  We  therefore  rowed 
to  the  shore  with  the  long 
boat  and  the  shallop  to  search 
for  survivors  from  the  lost 
ship,  but  it  was  all  to  no  pur- 
pose; we  found  not  a  living 
person  nor  an  animal,  but 
only  a  naked  sea  coast,  and  a 
parched  land  full  of  thorns 
and  thickets. 

Having  searched  on  land 
one  day  in  vain,  on  the  next 
we  sailed  along  the  coast  for 
some  hours,  firing  a  cannon- 
shot  every  bell.  We  set  men 
on  shore  to  seek  again,  who 
did  not  find  anyone,  although 
they  saw  some  tracks  of  bare 
feet  in  the  sand. 

The  third  day,  we  sailed 
again  to  the  wreck.  While 
we  were  riding  at  anchor  a 
short  distance  from  it,  the 
boat  was  ordered  to  make  an 
examination  along  the  strand, 
in  the  hope  that  she   might 


364     whole    no.    of 

pages 
where  "a."  is  the 
page  given  in  our 
reference,  and 
"x"  the  corre- 
sponding page  in 
the   other  edition.] 


P.  61.  "  I  found  al- 
so that  the  Island 
I  was  in  was  bar- 
ren," etc. 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe 


(127) 


find  the  missing  crew  of  the 
Goude  Draak;  she  was  pro- 
vided with  water,  food  and 
drink  for  several  days,  and 
proceeded  from  the  ship 
along  the  coast.  Of  her  re- 
turn I  know  not,  nor  whether 
she  found  the  crew. 

Right  after  the  departure 
of  the  long  boat  the  shallop 
was  sent  ashore  with  twelve 
men  to  renew  the  search.  I 
went  along  as  cabin  boy, 
eager  also  to  get  on  land 
again,  in  the  hope  of  finding 
something  fresh,  for  I  had 
been,  as  it  were,  shut  up  in 
the  ship  for  a  considerable 
time  without  any  change  of 
food.  Under  such  circum- 
stances everybody  longs  for 
land  and  fresh  food  or  fresh 
water. 

Boylike,  I  was  glad  enough 
at  having  come  ashore  with 
the  party,  and  I  gave  little 
heed  to  the  search  for  the 
crew  of  the  Goude  Draak;  I 
was    there    for    refreshment. 


11.  255.  "going 
often  on  Shore  for 
Refreshment. ' ' 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Wanders 
towards 
the 
interior. 


Lost  in 
the  forest 


On  landing,  we  went  into  the 
interior,  at  a  guess  perhaps  a 
three  hours'  walk,  when  we 
came  to  a  wood.  Here,  my 
only  thought  was  to  look  for 
fresh  water  or  fruit.  Like  a 
boy,  I  quietly  withdrew  from 
my  party  without  once  think- 
ing, when  I  was  in  the  wood, 
how  I  should  get  out  of  it 
again.  Walking  in  the  rear 
of  the  others,  I  screened  my- 
self behind  a  bit  of  thicket 
and  proceeded  thus  deeper  in- 
to the  forest,  glad  that  our 
people  were  out  of  my  sight. 
I  lighted  my  pipe  and  smoked 
as  I  went,  but  after  about  an 
hour's  search,  finding  no  fruit 
nor  anything  else  to  eat  or 
drink,  I  thought  I  would  turn 
back  and  look  for  our  party 
or  the  strand.  I  walked  prob- 
ably two  hours  in  an  effort  to 
get  out  of  the  forest,  but  the 
further  I  walked  the  more  I 
went  astray.  I  called,  I 
shouted,  I  screamed  until  I 
was  hoarse.    I  was  filled  with 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe 


fear  and  terror,  and  my  anxi- 
ety was  inexpressible.  Now, 
for  the  first  time,  I  realized 
that  I  was  only  a  child  and 
had  done  a  childish  act,  which 
produced  in  me  the  most  pain- 
ful repentance.  What  should 
I  do  ?  I  was  tired  from  walk- 
ing, hoarse  from  screaming, 
disheartened  and  dejected.  I 
threw  myself  on  to  the  ground 
under  a  tree,  sobbing,  moan- 
ing, and  praying  God  that  he 
would    help     me.       Evening 

(128)  came  and  I  fell  asleep  from 
weariness.  When  I  awoke,  I 
was  thoroughly  cold,  and  the 
darkness  aroused  in  me  such 

sjection  fear  and  terror  that  my  hair 
"^  ■  stood  on  end,  I  trembled  like 
a  leaf,  and  the  creaking  of  the 
trees,  as  well  as  the  soughing 
of  the  wind,  frightened  me 
every  instant.  My  disturbed 
spirit  was  mortally  oppressed, 
so  much  so  indeed,  that  no  one 
that  has  not  been  in  the  most 
terrifying  danger  of  death 
can    know,    comprehend,    or 


80.  [R.  says  that  if 
he  had  kept  a  jour- 
nal of  the  events 
of  the  day  he  was 
cast  on  shore,  he] 
' '  must  have  said 
thus:  .  .  .  After  I 
got  to  Shore  .  .  . 
I  ran  about  .  .  . 
wringing  my  hands, 
and  beating  my 
Head  and  Face, 
exclaiming  at  my 
Misery  and  crying 
out,  I  was  undone, 
undone,  till  tir  'd 
and  faint,  I  was 
forc'd  to  lye  down 
on  the  Ground  to 
repose,  but  durst 
not  sleep  for  fear 
of  being  de- 
vour 'd." 

[Notice  the  nega- 
tion.] 


48.  It  is  not  easy 
for  anyone,  who 
has  not  been  in  the 
like  Condition,  to 
describe  or  con- 
ceive the  Conster- 
nation  of   Men   in 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahies 


even  think  it.  I  groaned  in- 
wardly to  God  for  help  until 
day  began  to  break,  which  a 
good  deal  relieved  me.  I  got 
up,  and  did  not  know  in 
which  direction  to  go,  but 
walked  up  and  down  to  get 
warm.  On  account  of  the 
Listofpoa-  cold  I  thrust  my  hands  into 

sessions.  ,     .  ■,  , 

my  pockets,  where  to  my 
great  joy  I  felt  my  knife,  to- 
bacco box,  steel,  tinder-box, 
and  a  rusk.  Thrusting  my 
hand  still  further  down,  I 
found  a  little  ball  of  string 
with  some  hooks,  which  a 
sailor  had  lent  me,  so  that  I 
might  do  some  fishing,  if  I 
remained  on  the  strand.  This 
was  now  the  extent  of  my 
riches;  for  my  ship  clothes 
were  not  worth  much,  as 
every  seaman  knows  what  a 
cabin  boy  wears  on  board. 

I  began  to  walk  again  in 

order  to  get  out  of  the  forest, 

constantly   exclaiming,    * '  Oh, 

(129)      Lord!  help  me!"    I  v/ished  a 

thousand  times  that  I  might 


such  Circumstan- 
ces; [This  was  said 
during  the  storm, 
just  before  R.  waa 
cast  on  shore.] 


54.  "I  had  noth- 
ing about  me  but 
a  Knife,  a  Tobac- 
co-pipe, and  a  lit- 
tle Tobacco  in  a 
Box;  this  was  all 
my  Provision. ' ' 
[Nowhere  In  his 
narrative  does  E. 
speak  of  possess- 
ing the  means  to 
make  fire,  nor  of 
smoking,  although 
he  makes  a  pipe 
and  finds  tobacco 
growing  on  the  is- 
land.] 


Compared  with  Rohiyison  Crusoe 


come  to  a  mountain,  from 
which  I  could  discover  the 
sea,  or  to  a  river  that  should 
lead  me  to  the  sea;  but  the 
more  I  sought,  the  more  I 
went  astray,  and  the  thought 
of  eating  or  drinking  never 
once  entered  my  mind.  I 
formed  a  resolution  to  keep 
going  straight  ahead,  whither- 
soever God  should  lead  me, 
and  going  on,  I  came  towards 
evening,  a  little  before  sunset, 
to  a  marshy  pool.  The  sight 
of  it  made  me  think  that  I 
wanted  a  drink,  but  on  tast- 
ing of  the  water  I  found  it  to 
be  somewhat  brackish,  so  with 
my  hands  I  dug  a  hole  a  little 
way  from  it,  into  which  clear 
water  soon  trickled ;  of  this  I 
drank  and  felt  refreshed.  The 
water  in  the  pool  was  dreggy, 
brown  and  reddish,  like  the 
water  of  a  marsh,  or  water 
with  decayed  leaves  in  it. 
There  I  sat  groaning  and  cry- 
ing again;  I  could  not  stop 
my  dismal  weeping.    I  sighed 


54.  "  I  walk'd 
about  a  Furlong 
from  the  Shore  to 
see  if  I  could  find 
any  fresh  Water  to 
drink,  which  I  did, 
to  my  great  Joy; 
...  I  went  to  the 
Tree  .  .  .  ,  and  hav- 
ing cut  me  a  short 
Stick,  like  a  Trun- 
cheon, for  my  De- 
fence, I  took  up 
my  Lodging,  and 
having  been  exces- 
sively f  atigu  'd,  I 
fell  fast  asleep, 
and  slept  as  com- 
fortably as,  I  be- 
lieve, few  could 
have  done  in  my 
Condition,  and 
found    myself    the 


8 


Narrative  of  SjouJce  Gahhes 


(130) 


Says  a 
prayer. 


and  sighed,  saying,  "Alas! 
poor  boy  that  I  am!  Oh! 
what  shall  I  do  ?  Where  shall 
I  go?    Oh,  God!  help  me!" 

I  ate  half  of  my  rusk,- 
smoked  half  a  pipe  and  took 
another  drink  from  my  hole ; 
all  this  refreshed  me  a  good 
deal.  I  next  considered  what 
I  should  do  in  such  extreme 
need.  Human  aid  was  lack- 
ing, so  out  of  necessity  I  went 
to  God.  I  loosened  my  stock- 
ings, fell  on  my  bare  knees, 
and  called  to  God  for  help.  I 
said  the  evening  prayer  and 
the  pater  Twster.  I  even  be- 
came so  affected  through 
praying,  that  I  sank  down 
and  grew  faint  and  almost 
unconscious.  This  feeling 
lasted  until  dark,  when  being 
tired  I  lay  down  and  cried 
myself  to  sleep.  I  slept 
through  the  whole  night  and 
awoke  after  the  sun  was  up; 
the  sunshine  cheered  me. 


most  refresh  'd 
with  it,  that  I  think 
I  ever  was  on  such 
an  Occasion. 

When  I  wak'd  it 
was  broad  Day,  the 
Weather  clear, ' ' 
etc.  [Cf.  with 
statement  in  the 
journal,  pp.  81,  82, 
where  R.  says  it 
rained  all  night 
and  continued  rain- 
ing the  next  day. 
R.  apparently  had 
no  further  use  for 
hia  truncheon  than 
up  in  the  tree,  for 
he  does  not  men- 
tion it  again.] 


2  ' '  Beschuit, ' '  sometimes  ' '  Bischuit. ' '  Eobinson 
uses  "Rusk,"  "Bisket,"  " Bisket-cake, "  Cf.  infra., 
p.  91. 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


I  now  began  to  think  about 
my  preservation.  I  was  sit- 
ting by  my  water-hole  and  re- 
joicing over  the  fresh  water 
in  it,  for  I  realized  that  this 
was  far  and  away  better  than 
the  foul  water  on  the  ship. 
Just  then  it  seemed  to  me  as 
if  I  were  being  pushed.  I 
looked  around,  and  although 
I  did  not  see  anyone,  deeper 
in  the  wood  I  noticed  a  very 
tall  tree,  which  was  very 
prominent  because  it  was  so 
thick.  I  got  up  and  went 
towards  it,  and  when  I 
reached  it  God  gave  me  an  in- 
spiration to  mark  a  number 
of  trees  so  that  I  should  not 
lose  my  water  supply.  I  took 
out  my  knife  and  peeled  off  a 
little  of  the  bark;  with  my 
knife  I  then  made  a  wooden 
hatchet  for  this  work,  in  order 
to  spare  the  knife  as  much  as 
possible.  I  made  also  a  small 
wooden  shovel,  and  took  a 
stout  bough  which  I  sharp- 
ened at  the  small  end,   and 


73.  "Then  it  oc- 
curr'd  to  me  again, 
how  well  I  was 
furnish 'd  for  my 
Subsistance, "  etc. 

76.  "I  began  to 
comfort  myself  as 
well  as  I  could, 
and  to  set  the 
Good  against  the 
Evil,"  etc. 
[R.  takes  up  this 
theme  repeatedly. 
Cf.  pp.  72,  73,  76, 
132,  153,  164,  195, 
197.] 


96.  "I  had  .  .  . 
Hatchets  .  .  .  but 
with  much  chop- 
ing  and  cutting 
knotty  hard  Wood, 
they  were  all  full 
of  Notches  and 
dull,"  etc. 


10 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(isi) 

Invisible 

agency 

again. 


Club-spear,  -which  had  a  thick  knob  at  the 
other,  —  this  served  me  for  a 
weapon. 

I  was  becoming  more  and 
more  assured  and  under  this 
tree,  for  [as  I  have  said]  it 
was  pretty  tall,  I  began  to 
build  a  hut  of  boughs.  Dur- 
ing my  work  the  sensation 
again  came  over  me,  that  I 
was  being  pushed.  I  looked 
around,  but  again  I  saw  no- 
body; but  in  the  distance,  I 
noticed  just  such  another  big 
tree.  Letting  the  unfinished 
hut  wait,  I  went  to  this  tree, 
and  having  barked  it  on  sev- 
eral sides,  I  went  on  to  an- 
other that  stood  still  further 
away,  and  so  continuing,  I 
went  in  all  probably  a  dis- 
tance of  an  hour  or  an  hour 
and  a  half  from  the  pool. 

I  continued  in  my  quest, 
and  that  too  in  a  direct  line, 
so  as  in  time  to  get  out  of  this 
lonely  forest,  and  while  I  was 
walking   I   found   an   apple! 

apples.        Lord!    How  happy  I  was.    I 


Continues 
to  blaze  a 
line. 


85.  [R.  M  a  k  e  8 
a  "Shovel  or 
Spade."] 

54.  Truncheon,  . . 
[Cf.  supra.,  p.   7] 


223.  ' ' I  thought 
the  Impression  was 
so  strong  upon  my 
Mind,  that  it 
could  not  be  re- 
sisted, that  it  must 
come  from  some 
in\'isible  Direc- 
tion," etc. 

181.  "I  stood 
like  one  Thunder- 
struck, or  as  if  I 
had  seen  an  Ap- 
parition; I  lis- 
ten'd,  I  look'd 
round  me,  I  could 
hear  nothing,  nor 
see  any  Thing, ' ' 
etc. 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


11 


looked  up  and  saw  that  I  was 
under  a  wild  apple-tree. 
Throwing  from  me  my  club- 
spear  and  shovel,  I  climbed 
up  the  tree  with  great  joy,  ate 
my  bellyful  of  apples,  and 
picked  so  many  —  which  I 
threw  into  the  grass  under  the 
tree  —  that  on  coming  down  I 
filled  my  hat  and  both  stock- 
ings, and  still  left  some  on  the 
ground, 

I  retraced  my  way  from 
tree  to  tree  by  the  blazes  I 
had  made,  and  on  reaching 
my  first  thick  tree,  which 
stood  on  a  kind  of  hillock,  I 
dug  a  hole,  the  bottom  of 
which  I  lined  with  leaves  and 
on  these  I  laid  my  apples.  I 
covered  the  apples  in  turn 
with  leaves,  and  after  I  had 
thrown  sand  over  the  latter,  I 
possessed  a  storage  pit.^  I 
then  stuck  some  of  my  boughs 
into  the  ground,  weaving 
them  together  a  little  at  the 


54.  [Notice  that  E. 
took  his  club  up 
into  the  tree  with 
him.] 


225.  "a  little 
rising  bit  of 
Ground. ' ' 


61.  "What  to  do 
with  myself  at 
Night  I  knew  not, 
nor  indeed  where 
to  rest.  .  .  .  How- 
ever, as  well  as  I 
could,  1  barricade  'd 


3"Mod-hol," 
house. ' ' 


probably    the    equivalent    of    ' '  root- 


12 


Narrative  of  Sjotike  Gahhes 


top,  and  made  up  my  mind 
that  what  shelter  they  did  not 
afford,  the  sky  must. 


I  walked  back  and  forth  be- 
tween my  water  and  my  hut, 
in  order  that  while  walking  I 
might  be  thinking  out  what  I 
should  do;  my  dejection  and 
anxiety  were  growing  less  and 
less. 


Afterwards,  while  I  sat  in 

my  hut   eating   an   apple,   I 

mused;   "Dear  me!   what  is 

Moralizes     man's   life!      How    one    will 

on  the  use- 

lessness  of    wauder  from  country  to  coun- 
goid.  ^j.y  jj^  quest  of  merchandise 

and  money!  I  have  nothing 
now  but  water  and  apples, 
and  yet  I  am  quite  contented, 
if  I  can  get  more  of  them. 
Even    if    I    could    exchange 


myself  round  with 
the  Chests  and 
Boards  that  I  had 
brought  on  Shore, 
and  made  a  kind 
of  a  Hut  for  that 
Night 's  Lodging. 
[R's  second  night 
on  shore.] 

53.  "After  I  had 
solac'd  my  Mind 
with  the  comfort- 
able Part  of  my 
Condition,  I  began 
to  look  round  me 
to  see  what  kind 
of  Place  I  wa8 
in,  and  what  was 
next  to  be  done." 
[Cf.  also  p.  95.] 
66.  "I  smil'd  to 
myself  at  the 
Sight  of  this 
Money.  O  Drug ! 
said  I  aloud,  what 
art  thou  good  fori 
Thou  art  not  worth 
to  me,  no  not  the 
taking  off  of  the 
Ground,  one  of 
those  Knives  is 
worth  all  this 
Heap,"  etc.  [Cf. 
also,  pp.  152,  288.] 


Ccmipared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


13 


(133) 


these  for  gold,  I  would  not 
think  of  doing  so. 

When  evening  came  I  said 
my  prayers  and  lay  down  in 
my  hut  on  some  boughs  and 
leaves,  and  slept  much  more 
peacefully  than  I  did  the 
night  before.  On  awaking 
in  the  morning  I  began  to 
think  more  composedly  about 
my  preservation,  indeed,  just 
as  I  would  if  I  knew  I  should 
have  to  live  to  the  end  of  my 
days  in  the  wilderness,  which 
thought,  because  of  my  great 
dejection  and  anxiety  I  had 
not  been  able  previously  to 
entertain. 

I  said  to  myself  that  I 
would  first  take  a  drink,  then 
go  to  my  apple  tree  and  stow 
away  the  apples  that  still  lay 
under  it;  then  continue  to 
blaze  or  to  bark  trees,  as  I  had 
begun,  in  a  straight  line,  in 
order  by  this  means  finally  to 
get  out  of  the  forest,  and  to 
take  note   of  all   fruit  trees 


95.  "I  began  to  be 
more  compos 'd,; 
and  now  to  sup- 
port my  Spirits, 
which  indeed  want- 
ed it  very  much,  I 
went  to  my  little 
Store,  and  took  a 
small  Sup  of 
Eum. ' ' 

117.  .  .  .  "re- 
solv  'd  to  come 
again,  and  bring  a 
Bag  or  Sack,  or 
what  I  could  make, 
to  carry  the  rest 
Home."  [Cf.  in- 
fra.] 


14 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahles 


Secures 
the  rest  of 
his  apples. 


that  I  might  find  while  I  was 
doing  it.    So  said,  so  done. 

Armed  with  my  ehib-spear, 
I  betook  myself  to  my  apple 
tree.  On  reaching  it,  I  filled 
my  pockets  with  the  apples 
that  lay  under  it,  and  contin- 
uing straight  on,  I  peeled 
trees  at  such  distances  apart 
that  I  could  easily  see  from 
each  to  the  next  one.  Now 
and  then  I  found  fruit  trees 
and  marked  them  specially, 
until  after  some  time  I  had 
advanced  so  far  that  I  came 
Finds  a  to  a  Small  fresh  rivulet  near 
more  fniit.  which  there  were  fruit  trees, 
both  diiferent  from,  and  in 
greater  number  than,  those  I 
had  seen  before,  and  none  of 
which  I  knew,  but  trusting  in 
God,  I  ate  from  them,  and 
their  fruits  agreed  with  me. 

Now  I  forgot  my  storage- 
pit,  pool  and  apple  tree.     I 
followed  the  river  which  after 
some  time  led  me  out  of  the 
mountain,    forcst  to  a  mountain,  at  the 


59.  "I  at  length 
found  myself  in 
the  Mouth  of  a 
little  River,  with 
Land  on  both 
Sides,  and  a  strong 
Current  or  Tide 
running  up  .  .  . 
At  length   I  spy'd 


Compared  with  Bohinson  Crusoe 


15 


(134) 


a  little  Cove  on  the 
right  Shore  of  the 
Creek. ' ' 

115.  "I  went  up 
the  Creek  ...  I 
found  after  I  came 
about  two  Miles 
up,  that  the  Tide 
did  not  flow  any 
higlier,  and  that  it 
was  no  more  than 
a  little  Brook  of 
running   water.   .   . 

116.  I  went  up  the 
same  "Way  again, 
...  I  found  the 
Brook,  .  .  .the 
Country  became 
more  woody  than 
before :  in  this 
Part  I  found  dif- 
ferent Fruits." 

[It  should  be  noted  that  S's  and  R's  examinations 
of  their  resp.  brooks,  were,  from  the  circumstances  of  the 
two  cases,  in  opposite  directions.  Each  brook  headed  in 
an  area  where  fruit  abounded,  and  emptied  into  a  cove  or 
basin  near  where  the  exiles  respectively  made  their 
abodes.  R.  mentions  several  hills  from  which  he  made 
observations,  casual  or  frequent.  Of  these,  one  was 
three  miles  from  his  habitation,  near  the  W.  end  of  the 
island.  Cf.  200,  201,  205,  and  216.  Another  was  above 
his  cave.  Cf.  67,  93-5,  215,  219,  238,  240,  245,  274,  296, 
312.] 


foot  of  Avhich  there  was  a 
great  basin  of  brackish  water 
into  which  this  river  dis- 
charged, and  the  basin  in  turn 
discharged  through  a  small 
depression  into  the  sea,  as  I 
found  later. 

Wliile  I  was  resting  near 
this  basin,  I  saw  a  fish  jump, 
so  I  got  out  my  hook  and  line, 
and  took  them  with  my  club- 
spear  down  to  the  water.  Put- 
ting a  piece  of  apple  on  the 
hook,  at  once  I  caught  a  good 
perch,  which  I  dressed,  and 
baiting  my  hook  with  its  en- 
trails, I  caught  five  or  six 
more  fine  ones.  These,  after  I 
had  dressed  them,  I  roasted 


16 


Narrative  of  8jouke  Gabhes 


Makes 
tinder. 


Climbs  up 
the  moun- 
tain. 


Reaches 
the  sea 
shore. 


on  wooden  spits,  and  they 
tasted  sweet  and  good. 

My  supply  of  tinder  was 
scant,  so  I  tore  a  sleeve  from 
my  shirt,  set  fire  to  it,  and  ex- 
tinguished the  fire  between 
my  two  shoes ;  now  my  tinder- 
box  was  full  again,  and  I  was 
prepared  for  anything.  Hav- 
ing had  plenty  to  eat  and 
drink,  I  climbed  up  the  moun- 
tain, from  whose  top  I  could 
discern  the  sea,  by  my  guess 
a  good  hour's  walk  distant; 
this  mountain  was  only  a  high 
hill,  standing  alone  in  the  flat 
land. 

I  had  had  plenty  to  eat,  as 
I  have  said,  and  I  walked 
towards  the  sea  in  the  hope 
that  our  ship  or  people  were 
still  there,  but  found  no  one. 
While  thus  walking  along  the 
strand,  I  looked  back  continu- 
ally, so  that  the  mountain 
should  not  get  out  of  my 
sight.  On  the  way  I  thought 
I  saw  a  mast  behind  a  dune, 


211.  "provided 
with  Candles,  and 
a  Tinder-box," 
etc. 

[R.  nowhere  speaks 
of  a  steel  nor  of  a 
flint,  but  must 
have  had  the  lat- 
ter on  his  mus- 
kets.] 

80.  ' '  Some  Days 
after  this,  and  af- 
ter I  had  been  on 
board  the  Ship, 
and  got  all  that  I 
could  out  of  her, 
yet  I  could  not 
forbear  getting  up 
to  the  Top  of  a 
little  Mountain, 
and  looking  out  to 
Sea  in  hopes  of 
seeing  a  Ship. ' ' 
[Not  positively 
identifiable  with 
either  of  the  hills 
above  stated.  Note, 
that  K.  did  not  use 
a  spy-glass  on  this 
occasion,    although 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  17 


with     its    top     sticking    out 
above.     I  thought  also  that  I 
Footprints,   saw     footprints,*     but     these 
again  disappeared. 


six  jiages  back  he 
had  recorded  the 
finding  of  some. 
The  next  reference 
to  them  is  on  p. 
194,  and  there  as 
here,  R.  strains  his 
eyes,  trying  to  dis- 
tinguish objects 
far  out  at  sea.  Can 
the  reference  to 
"Perspectives"  on 
p.  74  have  been  a 
late  insertion  in 
his  text?  See  p. 
82,  infra.] 
181.  "I  was  ex- 
ceedingly surpriz'd 
with  the  Print  of 
a  Man 's  naked 
Poot  on  the 
Shore. ' ' 

187.  "Heartning 
myself  therefore 
with  the  Belief 
that  this  was  noth- 
ing but  the  Print 
of  one  of  my  own 
Feet."  [R.  evi- 
dently went  bare- 
footed.] 

*In  the  first  reference  to  footprints,  on  p.  2,  these 
were  described  as  "naked." 


18 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


When  I  reached  the  dune  I 
saw  an  upright  stake  to  which 
was  nailed  a  tin  plate,  and  on 
this  were  the  names  of  our 
skipper  ^  and  the  ship  on 
(135)  which  I  had  come.  This  dis- 
turbed me  anew,  and  yet  this 
stake  or  pole  and  plate  were 
to  me,  as  it  were,  almost  like 
comrades;  I  was  a  child,  and 
with  tears  in  my  eyes,  I  kissed 
the  stake  several  times. 

I  sat  down  with  my  back 
towards  the  stake,  resting  my 
chin  on  my  hand,  and  looked 
sorrowfully  out  to  sea.  I  got 
up  again,  walked  up  and 
down  past  the  stake,  and 
meanwhile  read  what  was  on 
the  plate.  I  resolved  to  dig 
the  stake  loose  with  my  hands, 
for  it  was  embedded  only  in 
dune-sand,  and  I  wanted  to 
get  the  nails  out  of  it.  With 
this  thought  I  stepped  behind 
it   to    examine    it,    and   then 

5  "Schipper,"  the  ordinary  term  in  Dutch  for  master 
of  a  ship. 


57.  "Cases  of  Bot- 
tles belonging  to 
our  Skipper. ' ' 
[This  was  on  R's 
first  visit  to  the 
wreck  of  his  ship, 
which  corresponds 
in  time  with  the 
cabinboy  's  first 
find,  and  seems  to 
be  the  only  pas- 
sage in  either  of 
his  first  two  vol- 
umes, in  which  R. 
uses  the  term 
"skipper";  all 
other  references 
are  to  "Captain," 
or  "Master."  Cf. 
supra,  Introd.  p. 
xlv,  and  R.  C. 
pp.  11  and  46-49.] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


19 


Finds  a 
note  nailed 
to  stake. 


Digs  his 
ship-chest 
out  of  the 
sand. 

(136) 


only,  as  I  was  looking  at  the 
nails  and  the  stake  from  be- 
hind,  I   became   aware   of  a 
piece  of  paper  and  a  little  tin 
plate     over    it    which    were 
nailed  to  the  stake   on  that 
side,    I  found  written  on  the 
paper  these  words:  *'Boy,  dig 
behind  this  stake. ' '    This  dis- 
turbed me  still  more  than  the 
stake   had   at   first.     A   cold 
shiver  ran  through  my  limbs, 
my  hair  stood  on  end,  and  I 
became   oppressed  and  filled 
with  dread.     I  trembled  and 
knew  not  why.     I  set  myself 
down  again  against  the  stake, 
until  I   should  have  become 
composed.     Then  I  took  my 
club-spear  and  began  to  probe 
with  it  in  the  sand  and  found 
something     hard     about     a 
fathom  behind  the  stake.     I 
fell  to  scratching  in  the  sand 
with  my  hands  until  I  came 
to  something  like  a  board,  and 
working  down  still  further,  I 
found  that  it  was  my  ship- 


20  Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 

chest,  I  cried,  ' '  Oh,  gracious 
God !  I  thank  Thee,  oh  Lord ! 
Help  me  henceforward,  I  be- 
seech ! "  I  fairly  shouted  for 
joy  and  wept  while  I  was 
working  the  chest  out.  A  tar- 
paulin lay  over  the  top  of  it, 
and  a  rag  was  wrapped 
around  the  key  as  it  stuck  in 
the  lock,  so  that  the  sand 
should  not  injure  the  latter. 

I  unlocked  my  chest  with 
great  joy  and  found  in  it  the 
following,  in  a  letter :  * '  Boy, 
inasmuch  as  after  nine  '^  days ' 
searching  and  waiting  we 
have  been  able  to  find  neither 
the  crew  of  the  Goude  Draak 
nor  you,  we  have  decided  to 
depart  (for  the  anchorage  is 
bad  on  this  coast)  but  first  to 
bury  at  this  place  your  chest 
and  things,  in  order  that  they 
may  be  of  use  to  you  if  you 

6  The  chronology  is  faulty.  On  the  third  day  of 
their  presence  off  the  coast  the  lad  went  astray,  and  it 
was  apparently  on  the  fourth  day  from  that  time  —  or 
the  seventh  day  in  all  —  that  he  found  this  note. 


Compared  tvith  Robinson  Crusoe 


21 


should  chance  to  come  here. 
Just  above,  on  this  little  dune, 
there  has  been  driven  into  the 
sand  a  small  stake,  under 
which  are  buried  some  other 
necessaries  for  you.  Good- 
bye." 

I  fell  on  my  knees,  thanked 
God  for  His  goodness  and 
prayed  for  the  safe  journey 
of  my  skipper  and  the  ship. 
Then  I  got  up,  filled  my  pipe 
to  the  brim,'^  since  now  I 
could  afford  it,  and  looked 
through  my  chest  in  which  I 
found  the  following  articles: 

3  shirts,  2  linen  under- 
shirts, 2  pairs  of  linen  draw- 
ers, 4  neckcloths,  2  pairs  of 
stockings,  1  pair  of  shoes,  1 
pair  of  breeches  and  a  doub- 
let, of  broadcloth,  this  being 
my  shore  suit,  1  English  cap, 
about  a  pound  of  tobacco,  11 
pipes,  1  tin  cup,  2  tin  spoons, 
3  knives,  8  to  10  shoe-laces, 

7  Notice  the  contrast  -with  the 
first  day,  supra,  p.  8. 


57.  [R.,  finds  among 
other  things  in  the 
ship ;  clothing, 

rack,  knives,  forks, 
pens,  ink,  paper, 
bibles  and  a  pray- 
er book,  besides 
articles  not  in  S. 's 
chest.] 

170.  "there  were 
Pipes  in  the  Ship, 
but  I  forgot  them 

boy's   action   on   his 


22 


Narrative  of  SjouJce  Gahhes 


paper, 
pens,  ink, 
and  a 
psalm- 
book. 


some  needles  and  thread,  2 
combs,  1  gallon-bottle  of 
rack,*  12  sheets  of  paper, 
some  pens  and  ink,  1  psalm- 
book. 


Takes  a  I  drank  a  dram  after  my 

™'  pipe,  like  a  lord !    Now  I  be- 

came easy  in  my  mind  and 
cheerful  again.  I  determined 
to  camp  through  the  coming 

Fourth  day  night  by  this  stake,  to  protect 
my  property,  for  there  was 
neither   man   nor  beast   that 


at  first,  not  know- 
ing tliat  there  was 
Tobacco  in  the  Is- 
land ;  and  after- 
wards, when  I 
search  'd  the  Ship 
again,  I  could  not 
come  at  any  Pipes 
at  all." 

[R.  last  visited  the 
wreck  on  June  15, 
and  first  discover- 
ed tobacco  a  month 
later  1  Pp.  100, 
115.] 

126.  "I  would  fain 
have  had  ...  a 
Tobacco-Pipe.  [R. 
omits  to  account 
for  the  one  he  had 
when  he  came  on 
shore.] 

56,  [R.  took  his 
*  *  large  Dram ' '  af- 
ter he  first  came 
on  board  the  wreck 
and  was  in  posses- 
sion of  food  and 
other  necessaries, 
but  his  alleged  rea- 
son    therefor     was 


8  Arrack. 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


23 


should  rob  me !  Childish 
fancy ! 

After  some  deliberation,  I 
went  up  on  to  the  dune,  and 
found  the  small  stake ;  I 
probed  near  it  with  my  spear ; 
at  two  feet  in  depth  there  was 
something  hard,  I  again  fell 
to  scratching,  but  was  scarce- 
ly one  foot  in  the  ground 
when  I  found  a  shovel. 
Zounds!  how  glad  I  was!  I 
proceeded  to  dig  with  it ;  this 
made  better  speed  than 
scratching  with  my  fingers.  I 
soon  uncovered  a  board  and 
under  it  my  hammock,  which 
also  was  wrapped  in  a  fine 
tarpaulin.  When  I  got  it  out 
on  top,  on  opening  it  I  found 
the  following  note : 

"Boy,  since  you  may  pos- 
sibly have  to  spend  your  life 
here,  we  have  agreed  to  leave 
these  things  for  you.  '  The 
Master  ^  gives  you  his  burn- 
ing-glass   so    that    you    can 

9  In  Dutch,  "Meester"  is  a  title  given  to  a  surgeon. 


to  "spirit  me  for 
what  was  before 
me, ' ' — the  landing 
of  his  find.  The 
two  drinks  corre- 
spond in  point  of 
time  —  the  acqui- 
sition of  supplies.] 
63.  "  I  piled  all  the 
empty  Chests  and 
Casks  up  in  a  Cir- 
cle round  the  Tent, 
to  fortify  it  from 
any  sudden  At- 
tempt, either  from 
Man  or  Beast. ' ' 
[This  was  the 
third  night.  See 
similar  expressions 
on  pp.  68,  82  and 
95.] 


24 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(138) 


Finds 
other 
utensils 
and  sup- 
plies 
buried. 


Cutlass. 


kindle  a  fire  even  without  tin- 
der; besides,  a  piece  of  sul- 
phur for  matches.  Good- 
bye!" 

I  hastened  to  examine  what 
they  had  left,  and  found  the 
following  articles :  1  board,  1 
excellent  tarpaulin,  my  ham- 
mock, straw  bed,  coverlet,  pil- 
low, 1  pillowcase,  1  axe,  1 
short-gun,  2  cases  of  powder, 
100  bullets,  1  piece  of  sheet 
lead,  1  ship-cutlass  with  its 
belt,  1  keg  of  brandy,  2  gal- 
lon bottles  of  Spanish  wine, 
wine,  100  rusks,  1  small  cop- 
per pan  that  would  hold  a 
"mingelen,"  ^°  1  Cologne  pot 
of  tobacco,  another  roll  of  the 
latter  weighing  probably  2  to 
3  pounds,  1  bladderful  of 
powder,  another  case  of  bul- 
lets, 2  cord  fish  nets,  1  box  of 
hooks,  12  flints,  1  small  pack- 
age of  matches,  1  package  of 
pens,  1  pen-knife,  2  quires  of 
paper,  1  leaden  inkpot,  with 

10  A  "mingel"  =  1.2  litres, 
litres. 


[Eobinson  saves 
from  the  wreck, 
among  other 
things,  the  follow- 
ing: 

Boards,  p.  57. 
Tarpaulin,    p.    69. 
Hammock,    p.    62. 
Bed    and    bedding, 
p.  63. 

Axe,   p.   58. 
Clothing,     pp.     58, 
62. 

Guns    and    Ammu- 
nition, p.  58. 
Old    rusty    swords, 
p.  58. 

Bread        (biscuit), 
pp.  57,  64. 
Cases     of     bottles 
("Cordial         Wa- 
ters"), p.  57. 
Barrel       of       fine 
flower,  p.  64. 
Pens,  ink,  and  pa- 
per, p.   74. 
Bible,  p.  74. 

Hoogewerflf    says    2 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


25 


(139) 


one  small  can  of  ink,  the  New 
Testament,  the  Journey  of 
W.  Y.  Bontekoe,  and  that  of 
P.  van  den  Broeke ;  also  a 
round  hand-fflass  in  a  tin  box. 


Now  I  changed  my  inten- 
tion of  staying  by  the  stake. 
I  had  made  my  way  from  the 
mountain  or  hill  to  this  point 
in  two  courses  at  right  angles 
to  each  other;  straight  across 
was  much  nearer,  so  I  thought 
I  would  go  back  that  way. 

I  emptied  my  chest,  and  re- 
filled it  with  rusks,  gun-pow- 
der, tobacco,  paper,  books,  etc. 
I  put  on  me  three  shirts  with 
an  additional  under-garment 
and  hung  the  cutlass  at  my 
side,    carried    the    axe    and 


Books,  p.  75. 
Eoll  of  sheet  lead 
was    too    heavy   to 
get  over  the  Ship's 
side,  p.  62.] 

197.  "I  furbish 'd 
up  one  of  the 
great  Cutlashes, 
that  I  had  out  of 
the  Ship,  and  made 
me  a  Belt  to  put 
it  on  also. ' ' 
[Cf.  pp.  138,  216, 
242,  274,  298  and 
300,  where  this 
weapon  is  usually 
referred  to  as 
' '  naked.  "  See 
note  infra,  p.  96J 
130.  [E.  also  "took 
another  Way  to 
come  back."] 
57.  "I  first  got 
three  of  the  Sea- 
mens  Chests, 
which  I  had  brok- 
en open  and  emp- 
ty'd,  .  .  .  the  first 
of  these  I  fill'd 
with,"  etc.  [R. 
refills  a  chest,  puts 
on  newly  found 
clothing,     and     re- 


26 


Narrative  of  Sjoiike  Gahhes 


Disposes 
of  his 
things  at 
temporary- 
resting 
place. 


Hangs  his 
hammock 
in  the 
open. 


shovel  on  my  shoulders,  and 
two  bottles  by  a  cord  around 
my  neck.  Thus  loaded  I  went 
to  my  river,  and  because  the 
weather  was  warm  I  naturally 
perspired  not  a  little,  from 
which  I  recovered  after  a  re- 
freshing drink.  Meantime, 
while  resting,  I  was  thinking 
what  I  should  do  with  my 
things.  I  dug  a  large  hole  on 
high  ground,  lined  it  on  the 
underside  with  leaves,  over 
which  I  laid  boughs,  and  on 
these  I  stowed  my  things  and 
covered  them  in  their  turn 
with  boughs  and  green  turf. 
In  the  afternoon  I  fetched  my 
hammock,  the  gun  and  a  blad- 
der of  gun-powder,  and  car- 
ried bullets  and  rusks  in  my 
pocket. 

When  I  came  to  the  river  I 
stuck  into  the  ground  on  the 
high  place  by  my  pit,  four 
poles,  and  suspended  my  ham- 
mock from  them.  I  made  an- 
other trip  and  fetched  the  tar- 
paulin, a  bottle  of  rack,  the 


cords  the  fact  that 
the  weather  was 
warm.] 


83.  [According  to 
the  Journal,  on 
Nov.  1:]  "I  set 
up  my  Tent  under 
a  Rock,  and  lay 
there  for  the  first 
Night,  making  it 
as  large  as  I  could 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  27 


fish  net,  a  hook,  and  some 
bullets. 

I  got  into  my  hammock  and 
slept  peacefully  until  day 
came.  On  this  day  I  fetched 
the  rest  of  my  things  to  the 
river ;  now  I  was  a  rich  man ! 
I   took   pen,   ink   and   paper 

and  wrote  down  the  foregoing 
[account].  I  said  a  prayer 
and  sang  a  psalm  as  well  as  I 
could. 


I  now  had  to  seek  a  good 
place  for  my  hut.  Looking 
about  me,  I  noticed  not  far 
away  a  fine  high  and  green 


with  Stakes  driving 
in  to  swing  my 
Hammock  upon. ' ' 
64.  "I  had  the 
biggest  Magazine 
of  all  Kinds  now 
that  ever  were  laid 
up,  I  believe,  for 
one  Man." 
[Fourth  day.  Cf. 
also,  pp.  66,  73.] 
74.  "I  got  several 
things  .  .  .  which 
I  omitted  setting 
down  before;  as  in 
particular.  Pens, 
Ink,  and  Paper 
.  .  .  [75]  that 
while  my  Ink  last- 
ed, I  kept  things 
very  exact ; ' '  etc. 
[Said  after  his 
last  visit  to  the 
wreck.] 

80.  [Notice  that 
E.  did  not  begin 
his  journal  until 
he  was  in  a  meas- 
ure settled.] 
60.  ' '  My  next 
Work  was  to  view 
the  Country,  and 
seek  a  proper 
Place  for  my  Hab- 


28 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Examines 
the  sur- 
rounding 
country. 


hill  close  by  the  river.  I  went 
to  it  and  looked  it  over,  and 
was  well  pleased.  Having 
fetched  my  axe  and  shovel,  I 
cut  as  many  large  and  small 
boughs  as  would  be  enough 
for  the  space  I  needed.  I 
thrust  these  into  the  ground 
or  dug  holes  for  them.  Then 
I  inter-twined  the  boughs  at 
the  top  and  around  the  sides, 
as  closely  together  as  possible, 
and  in  a  short  time  I  had 
made  a  hut  that  was  tight. 
After  I  had  completed  it  thus 
far,  I  drew  the  line  which  I 
had  set  in  the  salt  basin,  and 
on  which  I  now  found  several 
perch.  I  cooked  some  of  them 
in  my  little  pan.  After  I  had 
had  plenty  to  eat  and  a  cool 
drink,  I  fetched  my  hammock 
into  the  hut  and  having  hung 
it  securely,  I  also  brought  in 
my  little  bed  and  the  most  of 
my  other  things. 

And  now  I  thought  I  would 
take  a  walk  around  this  side 
of  the  basin,  to  see  what  it 


itation,  and  where 
to  stow  my  Goods 
to  secure  them," 
etc. 

67.  "In  search  of 
a  Place  proper  for 
this  [a  permanent 
habitation],!  i  ^I 
found  a  little  Plain 
on  the  side  of  a 
rising  Hill,"  etc. 

82.  [Journal  en- 
try.] "I  walk'd 
about  the  Shore 
almost  all  Day  to 
find  out  a  Place  to 
fix  my  Habitation 
.  .  I  fix'd  upon  a 
proper  place  under 
a  Rock." 
[This  was  after 
R. 's  last  visit  to 
the   wreck.] 


114.  "Having  now 
secur'd  my  habita- 
tion, as  I  thought, 


Compared  with  Rohinso7i  Crusoe 


29 


(141) 

Finds 
brick-clay. 


Builds  a 
circular 
hut,  stick- 
ing boughs 
Into  the 
ground, 


was  like.  Where  the  river 
falls  into  the  basin,  the  water 
is  very  red,  and  the  shore 
where  I  had  dug  was  sticky 
and  smooth  like  clay.  On  my 
way  out  I  threw  a  shovelful  of 
this  earth  some  distance  over 
the  ground,  in  order  to  see 
just  what  it  was,  and  going  on 
for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  I 
found  a  red  rocky  bank  with 
many  holes  in  it.  After  prob- 
ably a  long  quarter  of  an 
hour,  on  my  way  back  I  ex- 
amined the  red  clay,  which  I 
then  spread  out  rather  thin 
and  went  to  my  hut.  I  also 
got  some  fruit.  It  occurred 
to  me  that  if  the  clay  were 
good,  I  should  be  able  to  build 
a  fine  cabin  with  it.  When  I 
went  to  it  the  next  time  I 
found  that  it  was  dry,  hard 
and  strong,  at  which  I  greatly 
rejoiced. 

When  I  returned  to  my  hut, 
I  meditated,  while  smoking 
my  pipe,  on  what  I  had  to  do. 
I  cut  a  number  of  thick  and 


fully  to  my  Mind, 
I  had  a  great  De- 
sire to  make  a 
more  perfect  Dis- 
covery of  the  Is- 
land. ' ' 


68.   "Before  I  set. 
up     my     Tent,     I 
drew  a  half  Circle 
before    the    hollow 


30 


Narrative  of  Sjoiilce  Ga'b'bes 


and  wat- 
tling them. 


Makes 
ladder. 


stout  boughs,  and  having 
clipped  from  the  main  stems 
all  the  side-boughs,  I  stuck 
the  former  very  deep  and 
close  to  each  other  into  the 
ground  in  a  circle,  which  was 
eighteen  of  my  feet  in  diam- 
eter. I  began  to  wattle  these 
from  the  bottom  up,  like  a 
farmer's  hedge,  and  by  work- 
ing almost  constantly,  I  had 
the  structure  in  a  few  days  as 
high  above  the  ground  as  I 
could  make  it.  Not  being  able 
to  reach  any  higher,  I  had  to 
make  a  ladder,  for  which  I 
prepared  two  fine  straight 
limbs,  each  nine  of  my  feet 
long.  But  since  I  had  no 
auger  nor  chisel,  I  had  to 
make  the  holes  with  my  knife, 
which  proved  so  difficult  that 
I  got  blisters  on  my  hands 
and  had  to  suspend  this  work, 
and  either  do  lighter  work  or 
sit  still. 


Place,  which  took 
in  about  ten  Yards 
in  its  Semi-diame- 
ter from  the  Rock 
.  .  .  I  pitch 'd  two 
Rows  of  strong 
Stakes,  driving 
them  into  the 
Ground  till  they 
stood  very  firm 
like  Piles." 
Vol.  II,  122.  ' '  rad- 
ling  or  working  it 
up  like  Basket- 
work  all  the  way 
round. ' ' 

68,  ' '  The  Entrance 
into  this  Place  I 
made  to  be  not  by 
a  Door,  but  by  a 
short  Ladder,  to  go 
over  the  Top, 
which  Ladder, 
when  I  was  in,  I 
lifted  over  after 
me."  [R.  gives  no 
further  details  of 
his  Ladder,  except 
a  journal  entry 
that  he  finished  it; 
p.  93.  Cf.  Introd. 
p.  xlviii.] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


31 


Thought 
suddenly 
comes  to 
him  of 
having 
woven 
bird  cages. 


(142) 


Lines 
basket 
with  clay. 


The  door  or  rather  entrance 
to  my  hut  I  had  made  five  of 
my  feet  high  and  two  and  a 
half  wide;  for  this  I  was  go- 
ing to  weave  a  door,  and  while 
I  was  busy  with  it,  the 
thought  suddenly  came  to  me, 
that  in  the  fatherland  I  used 
to  make  square  bird  cages  of 
willow  twigs,  I  let  the  door 
wait  and  began  to  work  on 
what  I  shall  call  a  ** bottom," 
a  foot  and  a  half  square. 
Wattling "  this  up  on  the 
sides  also,  a  foot  and  a  half, 
behold!  I  had  a  basket,  and 
turning  it  over,  a  stool — mag- 
nificent furniture !  I  went 
with  it  to  the  clay-strand, 
smeared  my  basket  on  the  out- 
side with  clay,  dried  it  in  the 
sun,  besprinkled  it  with  water 
with  a  green  bough,  then 
smoothed  the  cracks  close 
with  my  hand,  and  my  basket 
became  as  tight  and  hard  as  if 
it  were  coated  with  red  stone, 

11  See  p.  146  (K.  K.),  where 
osiers. 


125.  "It  prov'd  of 
excellent  Advan- 
tage to  mo  now, 
that  when  I  was  a 
Boy,  I  used  to 
take  great  Delight 
in  standing  at  a 
BasTcet-maJcer's  in 
the  Town  where 
my  Father  liv  'd, 
to  see  them  make 
their  Wicker-ware; 
and  being,  as  Boys 
usually  are,  very 
officious  to  help, 
and  a  great  Obser- 
ver of  the  Manner 
how  they  work  'd 
those  things,  and 
sometimes  lending 
a  Hand,  I  had  by 
this  means  full 
Knowledge  of  the 
Methods  of  it,  that 
I  wanted  nothing 
but  the  Materials; 
when  it  came  into 
my  Mind,  that  the 
Twigs  of  that  Tree 
from  whence  I  cut 
my  Stakes  that 
grew,  might  possi- 

he   speaks   of   having 


32 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Makes  a 
milk-yoke 
for  carry- 
ing clay. 


Makes 
peep-holes 
in  hut. 


Lines  hut 
with    clay. 


at  which  I  rejoiced  not  a 
little.  Now  I  could  make  con- 
tainers for  my  goods,  and 
whatever  I  needed. 

This  set  me  to  thinking,  so 
that  I  at  once  began  again  to 
weave,  and  made  two  more 
similar  baskets.  These  fin- 
ished, I  chopped  a  stiff  piece 
of  wood  a  fathom  long,  put  on 
each  end  of  it  a  string,  tied 
the  baskets  to  these,  and  this 
J  used  as  one  does  a  milk- 
yoke  ;  with  it  I  carried  clay  to 
the  hut.  Having  cut  some 
peep-holes  in  the  hut,  I  fell 
to  smearing,  sprinkling  and 
smoothing,  and  in  three  days 
had  my  hut  coated,  dry  and 
smooth  to  the  height  of  five 
feet,  and  it  was  as  strong  and 
hard  as  if  it  were  of  red  brick. 


bly  be  as  tough  as 
the  Sallows,  and 
Willows,  and  Os- 
iers in  England, 
and  I  resolved  to 
try.  "ii« 


iiaCompare  the  above  paragraph  with  the  following 
pasage  from  the  earlier  part  of  "Krinke  Kesmes, "  p.  7: 

"I  had  my  lodgings  in  the  house  of  a  cooper,  an  old 
and  honorable  citizen,  where  for  pastime  I  helped  him 
peel  hoops,  that  is,  take  off  the  bark  or  make  them  white. 
I  put  on  a  leathern  apron,  and  took  up  coopering  for  a 
pastime,  and  got  such  a  liking  for  it,  that  I  became  able 
not  only  to  lay  a  hoop  well,  but  to  prepare  staves,  make 
a  bucket,  a  pail,  an  anker,  and  so  forth." 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


33 


(148) 


Calls  this 
hut  his 
castle. 


After  my  hands  got  well,  I 
took  up  work  on  my  ladder 
again.  I  wound  linen  around 
my  knife  and  although  I 
worked  rather  slowly,  I  got 
five  steps  or  rungs  completed, 
and  by  their  aid  I  wattled  my 
hut  together  at  the  top,  leav- 
ing there  a  hole  a  foot  square, 
that  I  could  close  with  a  lid, 
or  open  to  let  in  fresh  air  or 
let  out  the  smoke.  My  roof 
having  been  smoothed  and  be- 
come dry,  I  considered  that  in 
this  structure  I  had  a  castle. 
Furthermore,  I  made  several 
baskets  to  keep  my  things  in 
and  to  put  winter  stores  into, 
and  coated  them  like  my  hut 
with  red  clay. 


126.  "I  employed 
myself  in  making, 
as  well  as  I  could, 
a  great  many  Bas- 
kets, both  to  carry 
Earth,  or  to  carry 
or  lay  up  anything 
as  I  had  occa- 
sion." [R.  had  al- 
ready made  a 
"Hodd"  to  carry 
away  the  earth 
from  his  cave;  p. 
86.  Cf.  K.  K. 
p.  142.] 


170.  "In  my  Wick- 
er Ware  also  I  im- 
proved much,  and 
made  abundance  of 
necessary  Baskets 
.  .  .  for  my  laying 
Things  up  in,  or 
fetching  Things 
home  in." 

182.  [E.  first  calls 
his  ' '  Cave ' '  or 
"Home "his  "Cas- 
tle."] 


247.      "My      first 
Wall    had    now    a 


34 


Narrative  of  Sjoiike  Gahbes 


Adds  to 
hü  hut. 


I  built  on  to  my  round  hut 
also  a  fine  square  one,  that 
was  fifteen  feet  on  each  side,  a 
fine  and  substantial  structure 
having  like  the  round  one  an 
opening  at  the  top  and  peep- 
holes lower  down.  Now  I  was 
lord  of  two  castles.  In  the 
day  time  I  wrote  a  journal  of 
my  doings,  and  from  reading 
it  often  I  learned  it  by  heart. 


compleat  Eoof  over 
it  .  .  .  and  at  the 
Hole  or  Place 
which  was  left  to 
go  in  or  out  by  the 
Ladder,  I  had 
plac'd  a  kind  of 
Trap-door, ' '    etc. 

[E.  had  a  "Door 
to  come  out, ' ' 
through  the  back 
of  his  cave,  pp.  78, 
179,  and  finally 
made  peep-holes  or 
portholes;  p.  190. 
Cf.  Introd.,  p.  1.] 

190.  "double  Wall 
.  .  .  having  in  it 
seven  little  Holes, 
about  as  big  aa  I 
might  put  my  Arm 
out  at  .  .  .  and 
through  the  seven 
Holes,  I  contriv'd 
to  plant  the  Mua- 
quets,  of  which  I 
took  Notice,  that 
I  got  seven  on 
Shore  out  of  the 
Ship;  these,  I  say, 
I  planted  like  my 
Cannon, ' '  etc.  Cf. 
p.        212,        "like 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


35 


Once  upon  a  time,  while  on 
my  way  to  get  some  fruit,  I 
noticed  a  fine  mound  that 
looked  as  if  it  had  been  made 
by  hands.  It  was  invested 
round  about  with  trees  grow- 
ing trunk  to  trunk  in  a  circle, 
and  there  was  a  single  tree  in 
the  centre.  I  could  see  this 
hill  from  my  hut,  but  had 
never  given  it  any  considera- 
tion;   it    was    four    hundred 


Pieces  of  Can- 
non," and  p,  215, 
' '  all  my  Cannon, 
as  I  call'd  them; 
that  is  to  say,  my 
Muskets, ' '  etc. 
286.  "and  aa  I 
cooked  it  without 
Doors,"  (for  I 
made  no  Fire  with- 
in  my  inner 
Wall.") 

[The  cabin  boy's 
fire  appears  to 
have  been  inside 
his  hut  (K.  K.  p. 
145).  E.  says  of 
a  fire-place,  and  of 
fuel,  p.  72,  "and 
what  I  did  for 
that,  as  also  how 
I  enlarg  'd  my 
Cave,  and  what 
Conveniencies  I 
made,  I  shall  give 
a  full  Account  of 
in  its  Place,"  but 
he  fails  to  keep 
the  first  part  of  hia 
promise.] 

P.  70.  "My  new 
Cave,  which  in  my 
fancy  I  call'd  my 
Kitchen. ' ' 


36 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(144) 


steps  distant.  Upon  reflec- 
tion I  got  my  axe  and  went 
and  chopped  off  three  of  the 
trees  two  feet  above  the 
ground. 


Builds  hut 
on  a 
mound 
•with  aid  of 
standing 
trees  by 
cutting  off 
their  tops. 


Stepping  inside  the  ring,  I 
could  not  avoid  the  conclusion 
that  this  group  had  been 
planted  there.  Fetching  my 
ladder  I  chopped  off  all  the 
other  trees  in  the  ring,  leaving 
the  stems  ten  feet  high;  that 
of  the  tree  in  the  middle  I  left 
twenty  feet  high,  trimming 
from  it  all  its  branches,  and 
peeling  all  the  stems  to  the 
ground. 


P.  86.  "I  work'd 
to  make  this  Room 
or  Cave  spacious 
enough  to  accom- 
modate me  as  a 
Warehouse  or 
Magazine,  a  Kitch- 
en," etc. 

141.  [R.  used  sun- 
baked pots  in 
wicker  baskets.] 

142.  "The  heat  of 
the  Sun  bak  'd 
them  strangely 
hard." 

123.  "The  Circle 
or  double  Hedge 
that  I  had  made, 
was  not  only  firm 
and  entire,  but  the 
Stakes  which  I 
had  cut  out  of 
some  Trees  that 
grew  thereabouts, 
were  all  shot  out 
and  grown  with 
long  Branches,  .  .  . 
I  was  surpriz'd, 
and  yet  very  well 
pleas 'd,  to  see  the 
young  Trees 
grow;  " 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe  37 


These  trees  were  eighteen 
and  twenty  inches  in  girth.  I 
thought  I  would  build  a  fort- 
ress at  this  place !  I  went  to 
it  during  the  day,  to  while 
away  the  time  wattling-in  the 
enclosure  with  thick  boughs, 
which  I  pounded  close  to- 
gether with  a  stake.  This 
castle  after  some  time  was  fin- 
ished as  far  up  as  the  roof, 
which  in  the  course  of  time 
took  shape  also.  My  door  was 
two  and  a  half  feet  square 
beginning  two  feet  above  the 
ground.  I  fetched  here  my 
cask  of  brandy  and  a  bladder- 
ful  of  gun-powder,  my  rusks, 
some  bullets,  etc.  Finally,  I 
went  there  to  live,  with  my 
bed  and  most  of  my  things, 
having  buried  the  rest  in  my 
other  houses,  where  they  were 
well  protected. 


190.  "These  Trees 
having  been  plant- 
ed so  thick  before, 
they  wanted  but  a 
few  Piles  to  be 
driven  between 
them,  that  they 
should  be  thicker, 
and  stronger,"  etc. 
69.  ' '  Into  this 
Fence"^  or  For- 
tress" [his  en- 
closed Cave]  etc. 
[Vol.  II,  — CA  de- 
scription of  Will 
Atkins's  house.] 

119.  .  .  .  "Bower, 
and  surrounded  it 
at  a  Distance  with 
a  strong  Fence, 
being  a  double 
Hedge,  as  high  as 
I  could  reach,  well 
stak'd,  and  fill'd 
between  with 
Brushwood"  .  .  . 
124.  "and  placing 
the  Trees  or  Stakes 


lib  In  the  sense  of  protection  against  attack. 


38 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


in  a  double  Row 
.  .  .  they  grew 
presently  .  .  .  and 
afterward  serv  'd 
for  a   Defence   al- 


Makes 

salt,  dries 

fish. 

Makes 

more 

baskets, 

tables,    etc. 

(145) 


Disturbed 
by  noise  at 
night. 


I  had  also  obtained  a  whole 
stone  basketful  of  salt  in  the 
holes  in  the  red  rock  at  the 
end  of  the  salt  basin,  had  laid 
by  a  fine  supply  of  dried  fish, 
and  had  a  good  many  baskets 
coated  outside  and  inside  with 
red  clay,  and  with  lids  on 
them;  wicker  tables,  stools 
and  a  bedstead.  My  existence 
was  now  quite  secure. 

I  took  no  note  of  days, 
weeks,  months,  nor  years,  nor 
did  I  know  how  long  I  had 
been  here.  After  a  long  time 
as  I  was  sleeping  quietly  in 
the  middle  of  a  dark  night,  I 
heard  a  dreadful  confusion  of 
roars  that  woke  me  up ;  still  I 
remained  tranquil  because  no 
one,  neither  man  nor  beast, 
could  injure  me  in  my  fort- 
ress. However,  I  made  a  fire, 
which  was  soon  done,  for  I 


139.  [R.  mentions 
the  lack  of  salt. 
On  p.  251  he  eats 
salt  on  goat 's 
meat,  and  could 
not  have  procured 
it  from  the  Span- 
ish wreck,  because 
the  goods  in  the 
latter  had  been 
spoiled  by  the 
water. 

Some  modern  edi- 
tors insert  "salt" 
in  the  text  (p. 
174)  in  connection 
with  butter  and 
cheese.] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  39 

always  kept  a  good  supply  of 

very  dry  boughs  and  also  of 

coarse  split  wood.     My  door 

was  shut  and  my  peep-holes 

were  stopped  up. 

Having  placed  my  gun  in 

readiness,  I  laid  some  wood 

on  the  fire  and  went  to  bed 

again.  Wlien  day  came,  I  was 

curious  to  know  what  it  was 

that  had  made  the  noise. 
Kills  a  Opening  my  peep-holes,  I  saw 
wild  bull,     ggven  black  bulls  which  looked 

as  if  they  had  been  fighting, 

because  two  or  three  among 

them  were  bleeding.    One  ap- 
proaching   my    castle,    came 

within    twelve     or    fourteen 

paces  of  me  and  stood  still, 

looking   in    my   direction,     I 

rested  by  gun  through  a  peep- 
hole and  shot  him  right  in  the 

forehead,  so  that  he  fell  dead. 

Immediately      reloading,      I      71.  "The  first  shot 
^^*^^       made   myself   ready   in   case      I     ™ade     among 

more    should    come,    but    the       ?^f.'.^.  Creatures,    I 

others  retired  in  the  direction 

of  the  forest.  This  was  the 
game.  ^rst  game  that  I  had  seen. 


kill  'tl  a  She-Goat. ' ' 


40 


Narrative  of  Sjoulce  Gahhes 


I  went  to  the  bull  with 
shovel,  cutlass  and  knife.  He 
lay  on  his  side  and  I  could  not 
at  first  get  him  on  to  his  back, 
but  I  dug  a  furrow  behind 
him,  and  he  gradually  settled 
into  it,  almost  on  his  back. 
With  the  axe  I  cut  his  throat 
from  which  he  bled  freely. 
On  ripping  him  up,  I  found 
him   very   fat,   and   fetching 

Osier  table,  from  my  other  house  an  osier 
table,  I  laid  the  fat  on  it 
which  was  very  abundant, 
and  would  weigh  more  than  a 
hundred  pounds.  I  presently 
fell  to  rendering  it  in  my  cop- 
per pan,  and  recovered  two 
fine  clay-lined  basketfuls  of 
grease,  as  well  as  three  basket- 
fuls of  the  best  meat,  which  I 
salted.  I  blew  up  the  blad- 
der, cleaned  the  intestines  at 
the  basin,  dried  some,  filled 
others  with  salted  meat  and 

Pemmican.  grease  ^-  and  of  these  I  dried 
some  in  the  smoke  and  others 


148.  ' '  At  last  find- 
ing it  impossible 
to  heave  it  [the 
boat]  up  with  my 
little  Strength,  I 
fell  to  digging 
away  the  Sand  to 
undermine  it,  and 
so  to  make  it  fall 
down. ' ' 


12  Pemmican  was  probably  known  in  Europe  at  this 
date. 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


41 


(147) 


Takes 
some 
brandy 
and  wine. 


Daily  occu- 
pation. 


in  the  air.  His  horns  I  cut 
off,  dried  and  scraped,  and 
they  made  good  cups. 

I  boiled  and  roasted  from 
the  bull's  carcass  until  it  be- 
gan to  be  offensive.  Then  I 
made  a  deep  wide  hole  into 
which  I  let  it  slip,  helping  it 
along  with  levers,  and  cover- 
ing it  with  earth.  I  was 
thankful  to  God  for  His  good- 
ness. Many  times  every  day 
I  looked  with  joy  upon  my 
stock  of  victuals.  I  had  not 
touched  my  brandy  nor  my 
wine.  I  was  keeping  them 
against  a  sick  day,  yet  I  got  a 
longing  and  had  to  take  a 
taste,  and  so,  one  morning,  I 
took  a  little  brandy ;  at  noon, 
when  I  ate  my  dinner,  I  took 
with  my  meat  a  half  tin  cup- 
ful of  Spanish  wine.  I  felt 
after  it  as  if  I  were  going  to  a 
wedding  feast  with  the  Gods ! 
After  that  the  tap  was  shut 
for  a  long  time. 

Now  my  daily  work  was  to 
make  salt,  to  catch  fish,  boil, 


212.  "So  I  in- 
ter'd  him  [the  old 
goat]  there  to  pre- 
vent Offence  to  my 
Nose." 

151.  "I  had  all 
that  I  was  now 
capable  of  enjoy- 
ing. ' ' 

160.  ''Thus  I  lived 
mighty  comforta- 
bly." 

95.  "I  went  to  my 
little  Store,  and 
took  a  small  Sup 
of  Rum,  which 
however  I  did  then 
and  always  very 
sparingly,  knowing 
I  could  have  no 
more  when  that 
was  gone."  [Cf. 
p.    273.] 


83.  Nov.  4.  "This 
Morning    I    began 


42 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Builds 
pleasure 
hut  at  the 
basin. 


Another 
on  the 
mountain. 

(148) 

Makes 
clay  floor 
in  fortress. 


roast,  or  dry  them;  to  make 
chests  and  baskets  of  various 
sizes  and  fashions,  to  smooth 
them  evenly  inside  and  out 
with  clay,  and  then  to  dry 
them;  and  to  cut  and  dry 
wood,  of  which  I  always  had 
a  hutful  in  store,  besides  a 
great  heap  or  stock.  I  also 
had  a  big  basketful  of  dry 
wood-scrapings  which  under  a 
burning-glass  caught  fire  "in 
a  hurry, ' ' 

Everything  was  going  well 
with  me  now.  I  lived  happily 
and  quietly  in  my  solitude.  I 
had  also  built  a  substantial 
hut  at  the  basin  on  the  clay- 
strand,  where  I  could  fish, 
sleep,  and  cook;  this  was  for 
my  entertainment.  I  had  also 
built  a  hut  on  the  hill  or 
mountain,  but  I  did  not  coat 
it  with  clay  because  of  the 
great  labor  involved,  but  I 
made  in  my  fortress  a  clay 
floor  which  dried  off  smooth 
and  neat,  and  was  excellent, 
but  proved  too  cold  for  my 


to  order  my  times 
of  Work, ' '  etc. 
[These  were: 

1.  Times  of  work; 

2.  Going  out  with 
gun; 

3.  Sleep; 

4.  Diversion.] 

134.  "but  having 
regularly  divided 
my  Time,  accord- 
ing to  the  several 
daily  Employ- 
ments that  were 
before  me,  such 
as.  First,  my  Duty 
to  God,  and  the 
reading  the  Scrip- 
tures, .  .  .  Second- 
ly, The  going 
Abroad  with  my 
Gun  for  Food,  .  .  . 
Thirdly,  The  or- 
dering, curing, 
preserving  and 
cooking  what  I 
had  kill'd  or 
catch  'd  for  my 
Supply. ' ' 

119.  I  built  me  a 
little  kind  of  a 
Bower  ...  so  that 
I    fancy 'd    now    I 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


43 


Goes  bare- 
footed. 


Clothes 

wearing 

out. 


Dried  fish. 


bare  feet.  I  went  barefooted 
in  order  to  save  my  shoes  and 
stockings,  and  almost  naked 
in  order  to  preserve  my  cloth- 
ing. My  shirts  and  outside 
garments  were  wearing  out 
and  were  also  becoming  too 
small  for  me.  When  I  wore 
an  undergarment  I  left  off  my 
shirt.  No  one  could  save  and 
take  care  of  his  clothes  better 
than  I  did.  However,  I  had 
to  make  apparel,  at  first  out 
of  my  hammock  and  later  out 
of  my  straw  mattress,  and 
after  that  I  had  to  sleep  on 
dry  leaves  on  a  woven  bed- 
stead, which  nevertheless  was 
quite  comfortable. 

The  basin  furnished  me 
with  as  many  fish  as  I  wanted. 
Dried  fish  was  my  mainstay, 
I  might  say  —  my  bread  — 
which  I  ate  after  I  had  boiled 
or  roasted  it,  and  it  agreed 
with  me  very  well.  Now  and 
then  I  shot  a  wild  bull.  I 
built  huts  in  superabundance 
as  a   pastime   and   now  had 


had  my  Country- 
House,  and  my 
Sea-Coast-House. ' ' 

158.  "My  Cloaths 
began  to  decay  too 
mightily. ' ' 


98.  I  went  a  fish- 
ing, but  caught 
not  one  Fish  that 
I  durst  eat  of,  till 
I  was  weary  of  my 
Sport;  when  just 
going  to  leave  ofif, 
I  caught  a  young 
Dolphin.  I  had 
made  me  a  long 
Liine  of  some  Rope 
Yarn,    but    I    had 


44 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Thirteen 
huts. 
Pleasure- 
house. 


thirteen,  beside  the  "gallery" 
at  the  basin.  My  beard  was 
beginning  to  sprout,  a  sure 
sign  that  I  had  lived  here  a 
long  time;  and  yet  I  was  al- 
ways cheerful  and  well. 


no  Hooks,  yet  I 
frequently  caught 
Fish  enough,  as 
much  as  I  car'd  to 
eat;  all  which  I 
dry'd  in  the  Sun, 
and  eat  them 
dry."  [This  is  the 
only  time  E.  speaks 
of  fishing,  and  his 
statement  seems 
like  a  very  per- 
functory attempt 
to  cover  two  points 
in  the  other  story, 

—  the  dried  fish 
and  the  ' '  mon- 
strous" fish,  p.  69. 
We  are  left  utter- 
ly in  the  dark  as 
to  how  he  caught 
fish  without  hooks 
or  a  net,  and  from 
one  who  goes  into 
particulars  as  he 
generally  does,  it 
is  hard  to  accept 
the  statement  as 
self-prompted. 
Note  that  E.  ate 
his    fish     uncooked 

—  in  effect  a  nega- 
tion of  what  should 
9eem  to  be  the  more 
natural    course.] 


Compared  with  Rohinsmi  Crusoe 


45 


Views  the 
country. 


Finds 
rushes. 

(149) 


Makes  a 

leaden 

lamp. 


Once  upon  a  time,  wishing 
to  see  where  the  river  came 
from,  I  took  my  gun  and  cut- 
lass with  me,  and  after  an 
hour's  walk,  by  my  guess,  I 
saw,  beside  the  river,  what 
seemed  to  me  an  entire  marsh 
filled  with  rushes,  many  of 
them  along  its  edges.  These 
were  most  welcome  to  me,  and 
having  cut  a  goodly  quantity 
of  them,  I  spread  them  out  to 
dry,  I  cut,  besides,  a  bunch 
which  I  took  with  me  to  make 
lamp-wicks,  for  I  had  a  good 
deal  of  grease  in  store,  be- 
cause now  and  then  I  shot  a 
wild  bull. 


Now  that  I  had  lamp-wick- 
ing,  I  made  a  leaden  lamp  as 
a  sailor  does  on  board  ship, 
and  burned  a  light  at  night 
which  was  a  great  pleasure  to 
me.      Some     days     later,     I 


126.  [Continuing 
his  statement  about 
sallows,  willows 
and  osiers  (sup^'a, 
]>.  32)  R.  goes  on 
to  say:]  "I  went 
to  my  Country- 
House,  as  I  call'd 
it,  and  cutting  some 
of  the  smaller 
Twigs,  I  found 
them  to  my  Pur- 
pose ...  I  came 
the  next  time  pre- 
par'd  with  a 
Hatchet  to  cut 
down  a  Quantity, 
which  I  soon 
found,  for  there 
was  great  Plenty 
of  them:  these  I 
set  up  to  dry 
within  my  Circle 
or  Hedge,  and 
when  they  were  fit 
for  Use,  I  carried 
them  to  my  Cave. ' ' 

90.  "when  I  had 
kill'd  a  Goat,  I 
sav  'd  the  Tallow, 
and  with  a  little 
Dish  made  of  Clay, 
which  I  bak'd  in 
the  Sun,   to   which 


46 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Hakee 
mats  and 

coverlets. 


Makes 
clothing 
vrith 
rushes. 


Uses  bull- 
hides  for 
shoes  and 
stocldngB. 

Habitation 
is  on  east 
coast  of 
Southland. 


fetched  several  loads  of  dry 
rushes,  cutting  still  more  and 
laying  them  out  to  dry;  in 
this  way  I  collected  a  whole 
hutful.  I  made  mats  from 
them  to  lay  over  the  leaves  on 
my  bedstead  which  were  in 
disorder,  and  also  made  cov- 
ers to  spread  over  whatever  I 
might  see  fit.  Finally,  I 
clothed  myself  with  rushes  — 
what  cannot  poverty  con- 
trive !  And  now  I  did  almost 
nothing  but  make  rush  mats, 
large  as  well  as  small,  and  of 
all  patterns. 

In  this  way  I  lived  a  con- 
siderable time  quite  content- 
edly. I  had  covered  the  floor 
of  my  fortress  with  rush  mats. 
I  had  also  dried  eight  or  ten 
bull-hides  as  large  as  I  could 
strip  them  off;  these  were 
good  for  shoes,  stockings,  etc., 
etc. 

By  this  time  I  was  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  the 
forest  and  knew  well  how  to 
make  use  of  the  directions  of 


I  added  a  Wiek  of 
some  Oakum,  I 
made  me  a  Lamp. ' ' 


159.  "I  made  me 
a  Suit  of  Cloaths 
wholly  of  these 
Skins."  [of  goats] 

160.  "Thus  I  lived 
mighty  comforta- 
bly." 

176.  [R.  evidently 
went  barefooted, 
but  used  goat 
skins  for  ' '  Busk- 
ins, to  flap  over 
my  Legs,  and  lace 
on  either  Side  like 
Spatter-dashes. ' ' 


130.  "I  could  not 
see  which  was  my 
way  by  any  Direc- 
tion   but    that    of 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


47 


(150) 


Calls  his 
fortress  his 
castle. 


Outlook 
on  the 
mountain. 


sunrise  and  sunset.  Against 
the  sunrise  was  the  sea;  at 
midday  the  sun  stood  over  the 
river,  and  against  the  sunset 
were  the  forest  and  hinter- 
land. 

Once  upon  a  time  a  brisk 
gale  sprang  up  at  sea  and  be- 
came more  and  more  violent, 
accompanied  by  thunder  and 
lightning,  so  that  the  forest 
seemed  to  be  blowing  down. 
The  storm  became  so  fright- 
ful, with  rain  and  heavy  peals 
of  thunder,  that  although  I 
was  in  my  castle,  I  became 
very  uneasy  and  in  my  fright 
did  not  know  where  to  hide. 
Indeed,  some  trees  were  up- 
rooted, and  even  the  wind  at 
times  came  in  gusts  like  thun- 
derclaps; this  lasted  about 
two  days  and  two  nights, 
when  the  storm  abated. 

I  perceived  that  the  wind 
was  still  drawing  strong,  and 
went  up  the  mountain  to  my 
outlook.  The  sea  was  running 
very  high  with  deep  troughs. 


the  Sun,  nor 
even  then,  unless 
I  knew  very  well 
the  Position  of 
the  Sun  at  that 
time  of  the  Day." 


48 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Storm 
at  sea. 


Eclipse  of 

the  moon. 

(151) 


Storm 
carries 
away  hut 
on  the 
mountain. 


Coming  down  again,  I  went  to 
catch  some  fish,  and  while  I 
was  fishing,  the  wind  began  to 
blow  with  increasing  force. 

As  I  went  to  my  fortress 
with  a  basket  of  fish,  the  gale 
rose  again  and  the  longer  it 
lasted  the  more  violent  it  be- 
came. The  moon  was  now  at 
the  full,  and  the  clouds 
seemed  fairly  to  fly  across  it. 
I  sat  in  the  lee  of  my  castle, 
for  the  weather  was  now  dry. 
The  moon  slowly  became  dark 
just  as  if  in  an  eclipse.  This 
frightened  me  and  made  me 
go  inside.  My  lamp  was  burn- 
ing and  after  I  had  made  a 
little  fire  I  went  to  bed;  still 
I  could  not  sleep,  but  was  full 
of  fear  and  apprehension. 

When  day  came,  I  saw  the 
water  in  the  sea  was  very  an- 
gry and  high,  but  the  wind 
was  falling.  I  went  again  up 
the  mountain,  in  order  to  take 
a  look  at  the  tempestuous  sea, 
and  could  not  find  my  hut 
there.    It  had  been  broken  off 


94.  [R.  experienc- 
ed an  earthquake 
and  a  hurricane.] 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe 


49 


Replaces 
hut. 


Visits  the 
Outlook. 


even  with  the  ground  and  all 
my  wattlings  and  weavings 
were  gone,  and  I  never  saw 
them  afterwards.  That  made 
me  build  another  hut  later. 

I  fished  again  and  boiled 
what  I  caught,  at  the  basin. 
After  having  eaten  heartily,  I 
thought  I  would  go  up  the 
mountain  and  search  for  the 
pieces  of  my  hut,  the  Out- 
look. When  I  arrived  on  top, 
I  noticed  some  black  objects 
at  sea,  but  could  not  tell  what 
they  were.  I  was  slightly  in- 
disposed from  the  former 
storm,  and  did  not  feel  well. 
I  drank  some  brandy  to  re- 
vive me,  which  I  fetched  out 
of  my  fortress,  and  it 
Strengthened  me  mightily. 
Then  I  went  to  the  shore.  The 
wind  was  still  fresh  from  the 
sea  and  made  unusually  high 
water. 

Noticing  a  shallop  driving 
straight  towards  the  strand,  I 
tightened     my     belt "     and 


94.  "the  Motion 
of  the  Earth  made 
my  Stomach  sick." 

95.  "and  now  to 
support  my  Spir- 
its, which  indeed 
wanted  it  very 
much  ...  I  went 
to  my  little  Store 
and  took  a  small 
Sup  of  Eum. ' ' 
[This  was  said 
after  the  storm 
and  earthquake.] 


97.      [The      Storm 
13  ' '  haalden  strak  mijn  Vis-touw, ' '     The  writer  sub- 


50 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gabhes 


Sees  a  boat 
drifting 
towards 
shore. 


(152) 
Prepares 
to  secure 
it. 

Takes  it 
into  the 
slough. 


pulled  off  my  rush  coat.  Then 
I  took  a  good  look  at  her.  The 
sea-floor  here  was  flat  and  in 
consequence  there  were  no 
breakers.  I  got  a  firm  hold 
on  her  and  dragged  her  grad- 
ually into  the  slough  or  dis- 
charge from  the  basin,  about 
ten  minutes  from  its  mouth. 
She  had  no  oar,  but  forward 
in  her  lay  a  kedge  with  a  rope 
which  I  made  fast  on  land.  I 
was  nearly  exhausted  by  my 
efforts  to  prevent  the  shallop 


brings  E.  's  wreck 
nearer   shore.] 

55.  [K.  had  found 
the  ship's  boat  the 
day  after  he  was 
washed  ashore,  but 
could  not  use  it.] 

97.  "I  found  a 
small  Barrel,  and 
two  or  three  Pieces 
of  the  Wreck  of 
the  Ship,  which 
were  driven  on 
Shore  by  the  late 
Hurricane;         and 

mitted  this  translation  to  several  cultured  Dutch  peo- 
ple. Most  of  them  disapproved  of  it;  few  endorsed 
it  without  reserve.  He  then  asked  Mr.  V.  Stefansson, 
the  arctic  explorer,  the  significance  of  "fish-line" 
among  mariners.  Because  of  the  interest  and  impor- 
tance of  the  term,  Mr.  Stefansson 's  reply  is  appended 
in  full: 

' '  As  to  the  expression  '  fish-line. '  In  my  association 
with  sailors,  both  native  users  of  the  English  language 
and  foreigners  who  have  learned  English  at  sea,  I  have 
found  that  a  certain  type  of  rope  or  line  is  always 
known  as  '  fish-line. '  My  impression  is  that  in  size  this 
line  varies  from  about  the  diameter  of  an  ordinary  pen- 
cil, when  it  is  called  'cod-line,'  down  to  hard  twisted 
string  not  much  stouter  than  ordinary  wrapping  cord. 
Line  intermediate  between  these  two  sizes  we  always 
buy  and  use  under  the  name  of  fish-line. 

'  *  It  happens  that  sailors  use  this  line  a  great  deal, 
and  naturally,  the  more  they  use  it  the  more  inclined 
they  are  to  use  it  for  any  new  emergency.     Consequent- 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe  51 

from  going  ashore,  but  now     looking       towards 

had  her  under  control.  *^«  ^""^^^  '^'^^^',1 

-r  .  ,  ,1  ^  thought   it   seem'a 

I  went  to  my  castle,  made  a  ^     ,.     ,•  v.  4. 

•^  '  to    lie    higher    out 

fire,  warmed  myself,  and  took  ^^  ^.j^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^ 
half  a  cup  of  Spanish  wine,  it  us'd  to  do." 
which  restored  my  strength.  [For  oorrelation  of 
Going  again  to  the  strand,  I  th®  sources  of  sup- 
saw  many  casks,  chests  and  P^^  ^^  the  two 
,  T  •  •  1  narratives — chests, 
parcels  come  driving  on,  and  ^^^^^^^    ^^^^    ^^^ 

some  that  already  lay  embed-     introd.,  p.  xlv.] 
ded  on  the  strand ;  a  true  sign 

ly,  any  broken  thing  is  likely  to  be  mended  or  lashed 
together  with  fish-line.  Their  carry-all  bags  and  duffle 
bags  commonly  have  their  mouths  tied  with  the  string, 
either  by  wrapping  the  string  around  the  folded  mouth 
of  the  bag,  or  else  by  having  it  as  a  draw  string.  Sim- 
ilarly, gauntlet  gloves  may  have  draw-strings  of  fish- 
line  to  tighten  the  gauntlet  around  the  arm,  and  in  the 
North  our  water  boots  frequently  have  draw-strings  at 
the  top  to  tighten  them  around  the  leg  just  below  the 
knee.  It  is  also  not  uncommon  that  in  place  of  a  belt 
a  sailor  will  insert  into  the  top  of  his  trowsers  as  a 
draw-string  a  length  of  fish-line  which  then  serves  as  a 
belt  not  detachable  from  the  garment. 

' '  Without  asserting  any  strong  opinion  as  to  what 
the  particular  Dutch  sentence  you  quote  may  mean,  I 
can  say  at  least  that  there  is  nothing  out  of  conform- 
ity with  ordinary  English  usage  among  sailors  in  the 
trans-literating,  'I  tightened  my  fish-line'  into  'I  tight- 
ened my  belt.'  " 

If  this  rendering  be  correct,  the  expression  adds  an 
important  item  to  the  proof  adduced  by  Naber,  that 
Smeeks  was  familiar  with  sea-faring  terms,  for  he  has 
here  used  one  that  is  not  recognized  even  by  the  lands- 
men of  his  own  country.  —  Translator. 


52 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Finds 
wreckage 
on  shore. 


Finds 
clothing, 
biscuits, 
and  wine. 
(153) 


As  rich  as 
a  kingl 


that  in  the  late  storm  a  ship 
had  gone  aground  or  been 
wrecked  hereabouts.  I  hur- 
riedly fetched  my  axe,  broke 
open  some  chests,  and  found 
in  them  shirts,  clothes,  tobac- 
co, et  cetera,  such  as  a  sailor 
or  soldier  is  accustomed  to 
have  with  him.  Most  of  the 
chests  were  still  dry  inside.  I 
appropriated  as  many  of  the 
contents  as  I  could,  and 
brought  away  to  my  castle  a 
load  big  enough  for  four; 
what  was  wet,  I  dried.  I  can- 
not express  the  joy  I  felt,  and 
neither  can  anyone  know  it  or 
imagine  it,  that  has  not  been 
in  the  uttermost  poverty.^* 

Into  some  of  the  chests  very 
little  or  no  water  had  come. 
Out  of  these  I  took,  and  at 
once  put  on,  a  shirt  and  some 
clothing,  and  I  felt  that  I  was 
veritably  as  rich  as  a  great 
king.  I  also  found  some 
rusks,    ate   them   with    some 

14  Cf.  supra,  p,  6, 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


53 


Stern    of 
ship  driven 
on  shore. 


Hopes  of 
companion- 
ship. 


Spanish  wine,  which  restored 
my  failing  strength. 

Going  back  to  the  strand  to 
fetch  more  things,  I  saw  the 
entire  stem  of  a  ship  come 
driving  on,  with  many  more 
casks,  chests,  boxes  of  stock- 
fish, planks,  and  so  forth. 
Now  I  became  joyous,  hoping 
that  in  the  wreck  there  would 
be  another  living  person  for 
my  society.  It  drove  so  far 
upon  the  beach  that  it  held 
fast,  like  many  of  the  smaller 
objects,  as  I  have  mentioned. 
There  was  exceedingly  high 
water  when  this  stuff  came  up 
on  land.  When  the  wind  sub- 
sided and  the  water  fell,  the 
wreck  stood  so  high  and  dry 
that  I  could  not  get  into  it, 
but  ran  around  it,  calling  and 
shouting,  to  see  if  there  were 
any  one  in  it;  but  no  one 
made  answer. 


222,  "O  that  there 
had  been  but  one 
or  two;  nay,  or  but 
one  Soul  sav'd  out 
of  this  Ship,  to 
have  escap 'd  to 
me,  that  I  might 
but  have  had  one 
Companion,  one 
Fellow-Creature  to 
have  spoken  to  me, 
and  to  have  con- 
vers'd  with!  In  all 
the  Time  of  my 
solitary  Life,  I 
never  felt  so  earn- 
est, so  strong  a  De- 
sire after  the  So- 
ciety of  my  Fel- 
low-Creatures, or 
so  deep  a  Eegret 
at  the  Want  of 
it." 

[Cf.  Reflections  on 
Companionship,  pp. 
156,  222,  223,  234, 
253,  and  where  the 
desire  for  compan- 
ionship seems  rath- 
er to  have  degen- 
erated     into      the 


54 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Climbs 
aboard  by 
rope. 


Examining  it  on  all  sides 
with  attention,  I  saw  that  the 
entire  starboard  side  was 
stove  in,  the  mizzen  yard  lay 
across  the  ship  and  the  mizzen 
sheet  hung  to  port,  to  which 
side  also  the  whole  wreck 
heeled  over.  I  took  a  firm 
hold  on  the  rope  and  climbed 
up  against  the  hull,  I  found 
no  one.  I  looked  into  the  hold 
and  through  the  decks,  and 
went  into  the  round  house, 
where  there  were  six  chests 
and  three  bottle-cases,  and  a 
(154)      great  English  dog,  which  on 

Finds  a  °  *  i     ,  • 

dog  on  the  Seeing  me,  wagged  his  tail 
'^^^^-  and  came  and  licked  my  hand. 
On  the  half -deck  was  a  great 
Cologne  clay  pot  with  water 
in  it.  To  port  under  the  half- 
deck  were  two  cannons  that 
were  looking  out  of  their  port- 
„    ,.,.        holes,  and  a  third  with  its  car- 

Condition  ' 

of  wreck,     riagc    overturned,    that    had 


wish  to  have  a  ser- 
vant or  slave,  pp. 
235-7,  240,  241, 
249,  and  252.] 

97.  "When  I  came 
down  to  the  Ship, 
...  I  could  now 
walk  quite  up  to 
her  when  the  Tide 
was  out;"  [Sec- 
ond position  o  £ 
B's  wreck.] 
55.  ' '  small  Piece 
of  a  Rope  .  .  . 
hang  down  by  the 
Fore-Chains  so  low, 
as  that  with  great 
Difficulty  I  got 
hold  of  it,  and  by 
the  help  of  that 
Rope,  got  up  into 
the  Forecastle  of 
the  Ship." 
226.  "Besides  the 
Dog,  there  was 
nothing  left  in  the 
Ship  that  had 
life."  [Cf.  226 
fnd  infra,  p.  56.] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  55 


rolled  over  to  this  side  from 
the  starboard.  The  great 
cabin  had  four  windows,  and 
the  panes  in  them  were  but 
little  damaged,  and  the  Cap- 
tain 's  bunk  was  still  entire. 

When  I  saw  this  I  did  not 
at  first  know  what  to  do,  but 
after  I  had  thought  the  mat- 
ter out,  I  pulled  all  the  run- 
ning line  from  the  mizzen 
mast,  and  cut  off  the  mizzen 
headline  aloft  under  the  top- 
sail. The  end  of  it  fell  over 
the  side  and  extended  almost 
to  the  ground ;  I  could  bridge 
the  gap  comfortably  with  the 
ladder  I  had  made.  Again, 
I  went  all  through  the  ship, 
below  deck,  then  above,  shout- 
ing to  see  if  there  were  any 
people  in  it,  but  none  came 
out,  nor  did  I  hear  any  one. 

Searching  about,  under  the 
half  deck,  I  noticed  the  car- 
carpenter's  penter 's  chest  open.  In  it 
were  a  saw,  some  hammers, 
hatchets,  chisels,  planes,  au- 
gers and  other  tools.    With  a 


Searches 
again  for 
survivors. 


chest. 


58.  "Carpenter's 
Chest,  which  -was  a 
very  useful  Prize 
to  me." 


56 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Throws 
articles 
over   the 
side  of  the 
wreck. 
(155) 


Finds 
clothing, 
food,  tobac- 
co, etc. 


Takes  dog 
to  his 
castle. 


hatchet,  a  hammer,  a  crowbar, 
et  cetera,  I  went  back  to  the 
round  house,  in  which  there 
were  ten  beds  and  in  the  beds 
were  three  more  bottle-cases. 
I  threw  over  the  side  two 
straw-beds,  two  coverlets,  and 
four  pillows,  to  take  to  my 
castle.  I  opened  also  a  steers- 
man's  chest,  and  found  in  it 
twelve  good  shirts  marked 
"H.  G.,"  with  three  suits  of 
underclothes  and  a  suit  for 
shore-leave,  a  cheese,  some  to- 
bacco, and  pipes,  a  marine 
chart  and  some  other  things. 
I  threw  also  the  shirts  and 
clothes  over  the  side,  and  de- 
scended along  the  mizzen 
head-line  to  take  away  all  of 
these  things  and  place  them 
in  safety. 

The  big  English  dog  cried 
after  me  and  was  going  to 
jump  down  from  above.  This 
moved  me  to  come  up  again, 
and  I  tied  his  muzzle  and  low- 
ered him  with  the  mizzen 
sheet  and  followed  after  him. 


56.  ' '  flung  as  many 
of  them  over-board 
as  I  could  manage 
of  their  Weight." 


75.  [first  wreck] 
* '  and  as  for  the 
Dog,  he  jump'd 
out  of  the  Ship  of 
himself,  and  swam 
on  Shore  to  me  the 
Day   after   I  went 


Compared  with  Eohinson  Crusoe  57 


Makes 
pack- 
saddle   for 
dog. 

Dog  car- 
ries 
baskets. 


(156) 


This  dog  was  big  and  strong 
and  I  used  him  as  my  burden- 
bearer.  Wlien  I  had  joined 
him,  I  took  to  my  castle  as 
much  as  I  could  carry.  I 
rested  there  a  while,  and  gave 
the  dog  some  boiled  fish  and  a 
drink  of  water,  and  every 
time  I  fed  him  that  animal 
evinced  for  me  greater  and 
greater  friendship. 

Evening  came  and  I  was 
weary,  and  yet  I  went  with 
my  "Draager"  (so  I  named 
my  dog)  to  the  river  and  let 
him  drink ;  I  had  there  a  mess 
of  boiled  fish  which  he  de- 
voured. We  went  back  to  my 
castle,  and  on  arriving  there, 
I  cut  for  him  from  a  dried 
bull-hide  a  saddle  to  go  over 
his  back.  I  took  two  uncoated 
baskets  a  foot  and  a  half  long, 
and  two,  a  foot  long,  fastened 
them  together  with  two  ropes, 
and  they  constituted  his  car- 
rying outfit. 

I  made  a  fire,  boiled  and 
roasted  some  fish,  and  Draa- 


on  Shore  with  my 
first  Cargo." 
[This  tardy  state- 
ment does  injus- 
tice to  the  natures 
of  both  Robinson 
and  the  dog  and  is 
thus  in  effect  a 
contradiction. 

226.  [Spanish 
wreck]  * '  when  I 
came,  close  to  her, 
a  Dog  appear  'd 
upon  her,  who  see- 
ing me  coming, 
yelp'd  and  ery'd; 
and  as  soon  as  I 
call'd  him,  jump'd 
into  the  Sea,  to 
come  to  me  ...  I 
gave  him  a  Cake 
of  my  Bread  .  .  . 
I  then  gave  the 
poor  Creature  some 
fresh  Water. ' ' 
[This  incident, 

eight  years  after 
the  death  of  R's 
first  dog,  is  inject- 
ed into  R's  narra- 
tive in  a  para- 
graph of  ten  lines, 
in  connection  with 
the  episode  of  the 


58 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Oabhes 


Continues 
to  plunder 
the  wreck. 


ger  and  I  ate  our  fill,  and 
slept  quietly.  The  next  morn- 
ing at  daybreak  I  went  with 
Draager  to  the  wreck,  after 
having  put  on  him  his  saddle 
and  baskets.  When  I  reached 
the  deck,  I  broke  chests  open 
one  after  another,  and  found 
in  them  clothes,  linen,  to- 
bacco, merchandise,  rusks, 
cheeses,  et  cetera.  There  was 
a  key  in  one  bottle-case  with 
which  I  opened  at  least  four 
other  cases  which  were  all  full 
of  brandy ;  I  again  threw  over 
the  side  of  the  wreck  linen 
and  woolen  stuffs,  and  what- 
ever was  of  use  to  me,  and  we 
both  spent  this  day  in  carry- 
ing. We  had  plenty  to  eat 
and  drink.  The  wreck  lay 
aslant  on  the  after  end  of  the 
port  side,  and  in  the  lower 
parts  was  still  full  of  water. 
I  salvaged  all  that  I  could,  for 
nothing  came  amiss  to  me, 
and  a  good  deal  of  stuff  went 
into  each  of  my  huts. 

I    made    two    more    rather 


Spanish  wreck, 

which  itself  has 
not  even  the  merit 
of  novelty  (for  the 
wreck-idea  was  ful- 
ly exploited  in  the 
earlier  part  of  the 
story)  and  is  ap- 
parently used,  or 
is  useful  here  only 
as  jiadding ;  and 
never  another  word 
about  the  dog  oc- 
curs in  the  remain- 
ing hundred  pages 
— during  R's  stay 
on  the  island.  The 
similarity  to  the 
Dutch  story  is 
very  apparent  here, 
not  only  in  the  late 
introduction  of  this 
wreck  episode  into 
R's  narrative,  but 
in  the  final  abrupt 
passage  into  obliv- 
ion of  his  dog.] 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe  59 


Makes  a 
wagon. 
(157) 


long  baskets  for  Draager;  I 
lowered  the  bottle-cases  with 
the  mizzen  sheet,  I  carried 
linen  and  woolen,  and  Draa- 
ger each  trip  carried  six  one- 
gallon  flagons,  and  thus  I 
speedily  got  the  seven  bottle- 
cases  over.  I  could  lower 
empty  chests  as  I  did  the 
bottle-cases,  but  could  not 
take  them  away,  until  it  oc- 
curred to  me  that  I  had  a  saw. 
So  I  sawed  four  blocks  from 
a  round  and  solid  tree,  and 
contrived  from  them  four 
wheels,  which  I  made  fast 
under  a  rectangular  block  of 
wood,  and  thus  I  had  a  wagon. 
I  made  draught  tackle  for 
Draager,  who  could  easily 
pull  the  wagon  with  one  chest 
on  it,  when  I  pushed  a  little. 
Thus  in  a  short  time  I  trans- 
ported many  large  and  small 
chests,  several  bundles  of 
stock  fish,  and  a  variety  of 
other  things. 

After  this,  on  visiting  the 
ship's    cabin,    I    found    four 


85.  "as  to  a  Wheel- 
barrow, I  fancy 'd 
I  could  make  all 
but  the  Wheel,  but 
that  I  had  no  No- 
tion of,  neither 
did  I  know  how  to 
go  about  it ;  be- 
sides I  had  no  pos- 
sible way  to  make 
the  Iron  Gudgeons 
for  the  Spindle  or 
Axis  of  the  Wheel 
to  run  in,  so  I 
gave  it  over.  [On 
p.  96  R,  says:] 
"At  length  I  con- 
triv  'd  a  Wheel 
with  a  String,  to 
turn  it  with  my 
Foot,"  etc.  [and 
on  p.  170,]  "con- 
trived well  enough 
to  make  them 
[pottery]  with  a 
Wheel. ' ' 


60 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Becomes 
richer  and 
richer. 


Gunner' s- 
room. 


Powder- 
room. 


small  casks  of  rusks,  each  cask 
of  the  size  of  a  beer  quarter- 
keg,  cans,  glasses,  two  silver 
cups,  bottles  of  wine,  beer,  oil 
and  vinegar,  the  bunk  with  its 
curtains,  chairs,  benches, 
lamps,  candle-sticks,  a  chest 
of  candles,  et  cetera. 

Nor  did  matters  stop  here. 
We  became  richer  and  richer, 
for  I  had  not  yet  visited  the 
gunner's  room,  and  on  enter- 
ing it,  I  found  a  great  many- 
beds  and  chests,  many  cart- 
ridges in  their  holders,  two 
parchment  lanterns  and  two 
bottle-cases  of  brandy. 

I  dared  not  go  down  into 
the  powder-room  for  fear  of 
the  water.  Having  lowered 
the  two  bottle-eases  and  their 
bottles,  I  took  them  to  my 
castle.  Then  further,  I  re- 
solved to  cut  an  opening  down 
in  the  gunner's  room,  so  that 
through  it  the  water  [from 
the  powder-room,  if  any] 
should  relieve  itself,  and  I 
took  an  auger  of  large  diam- 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


61 


(158) 


Bread  for 
six  years. 


eter  and  bored  through  [from 
the  gunner 's  room  to  the  pow- 
der-room.] I  was  surprised 
that  no  water  came  out. 
[From  outside  the  ship]  I 
bored  also  in  front  of  the 
powder-room,  but  there  I  im- 
mediately got  water.  I  went 
again  into  the  wreck,  lighted 
a  lantern,  went  down  into 
the  powder-room,  which  I 
found  undamaged,  entire  and 
dry,  where  there  was  plenty 
of  powder  and  cartridge- 
paper.    (Cf.  Dutch  text.) 

On  the  other  side  was  the 
bread-room,  as  dry  as  cork. 
In  it  I  found  for  myself  and 
Draager  more  bread  than  we 
needed  for  six  years,  and  in 
addition  many  Leyden  and 
cream  cheeses,  twenty-four 
bottle-cases,  each  with  its  key, 
and  two  unopened  tuns  —  un- 
provided with  spigots  —  that 
contained  butter. 

When  I  had  looked  these 
things  over,  I  brought  some 
rusks   and    cheeses   on   deck, 


62  Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gabhes 

lowered  them  over  the  side, 
and  took  them  to  my  castle; 
and  after  I  had  had  some- 
thing to  eat  with  Draager,  we 
returned  to  the  wreck.  The 
water  having  discharged  it- 
self, I  saw  some  forty  round 
pots,  sealed  on  top  with  plas- 
ter. I  did  not  know  what  was 
in  them,  but  opened  one.  It 
was  full  of  olive  oil,  a  portion 
of  which  had  presently  to  go 
to  my  fort,  where  I  now  had 
bread,  cheese,  oil,  brandy,  and 
all  that  I  could  desire  besides. 
Next  I  had  to  investigate  the 
casks  that  had  been  washed 
up  onto  the  strand,  and  I  went 
over  there  with  my  auger  and 
some  wooden  stoppers  or 
spigots.  I  found  three  casks 
of  mum,^^  one  of  vinegar, 
(159)  three  of  French  and  three  of 
Rhine  wine.  I  took  a  dram, 
while  considering  what  I 
should  do.^®    Roll  them  away 

15  A  kind  of  beer. 

16  Apparently  the  same  cause  operated  here  that  act- 
uated E's  drink  on  the  wreck  —  trouble  ahead.  Cf.  E., 
p.  56. 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  63 

I  could  not.  I  had  found  with 

the  oil-pots  six  more  bottle- 
eases     of     brandy.      This     I 

poured   away    because    I    al- 
ready had  more  brandy  than 

I  wanted.      Having   brought 
»  the   cases   to   the   river,   and 

having     rinsed     the     bottles 

clean,  I  tapped  into  these  four 

cases    of    mum    and    two    of 

French  wine. 
I    had    found    also    three 

empty  ankers^^  in  the  round 

house,  and  filled  two  of  them 

also  with  French  wine,  for  I 

preferred  that  to  Rhine  wine. 

"We    took    these    also   to    my 

wine-hut.  Having  filled  the 
Wine-  third    with    wine-vinegar,    I 

vinegar.       j^j-Qught    it    into    my    castle, 

where  I  also  poured  away  the 

brandy  from  a  bottle-case  and 

fetched  French  wine  to   fill 

the  latter. 

I    poured    away    so    much 

brandy  that  I  was  able  to 
French  draw  off  an  entire  hogshead 
^'^®"  of    French    wine    into    the 


17  An  "anker"  has  a  capacity  of  ten  gallons. 


64 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(160) 


Enumera- 
tion  of  re- 
sources. 


empty  bottles,  and  rolling  the 
empty  hogshead  to  the  river, 
I  rinsed  it  clean,  and  placed 
it  under  the  dense  shade  of  a 
tree  where  the  sun  could  not 
come  at  it.  I  brought  over 
here  also  another  cask,  and 
tapping  into  each  of  these  the 
contents  of  a  ten-gallon  case, 
I  found  that  Draager  could 
pull  them  easily.  Thus  I  got 
all  the  wine,,  mum  and  vine- 
gar over  as  far  as  under  the 
trees,  where  I  well  covered 
them  in  addition  with  boughs. 
I  brought  four  bottle-cases 
of  brandy  out  of  my  castle 
again,  and  took  them  to  the 
brandy-hut,  where  I  now  had 
twenty-four  cases  of  brandy 
stacked  up  in  piles  alongside 
of  one  another.  In  the  bread- 
hut  I  had  sixteen  chests  of 
ship-biscuit  and  three  quar- 
ter-casks of  rusks;  in  the 
cheese-hut,  fourteen  Leyden 
and  twenty-seven  cream 
cheeses ;  in  the  oil-hut  twenty- 
four  round  pots  of  oil ;  in  the 


179.  [R.  makes  a 
recapitulation  of 
his  resources.] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  65 


powder-hut,  thirty-eight  cart- 
ridges in  their  cases  and  six 
plastered  chests  full  of  filled 
cartridges.    In  this  I  had,  be- 
sides, sixteen  reams  of  cart- 
ridge paper.    In  the  rush-hut 
I  had  many  bundles  of  dried 
rushes;  in  the  wood-hut,  dry 
twigs  and  split-wood  with  a 
big  pile  of  the  latter  nearby 
in  addition.    In  the  salt-hut  I 
had   six   plastered   chests   of 
salt,   besides   six   bundles   of 
stockfish  which  I  had  re-dried. 
Moreover,  I  had  a  hutful  of 
hammocks  and  clothing,  and 
in  my  castle  a  fine  bed  with 
all    its    appurtenances,    two 
bottle-cases  of  brandy,  one  of 
Rhine    and    one    of    French 
wine,    a   bottle-case   of   mum 
and  one  of  wine-vinegar;  be- 
sides, an  "anker"  of  French 
wine,  a  quarter  cask  of  rusks, 
a  chest  of  ship-biscuit,  a  chest 
of  candles,  a  tea  kettle,  with  a 
dozen  cups  and  saucers;  tea, 
coffee-beans,   and  a  remnant 
of  sage. 


66 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gables 


Kettles,  &c. 
(161) 


Compares 
his  life  to 
that  of  a 
king. 


All  of  these  I  fetched  out  of 
the  bread-cellar  with  three 
new  kettles,  linen  and  woolen 
in  sufficiency,  tobacco,  pipes, 
and  what  not. 

Now  I  lived  the  life  of  a 
king  and  in  addition  had  the 
companionship  of  my  dog. 


175.  "like  a  King 
I  din'd  too  all 
alone,  attended  by 
my  Servants;  .  .  . 
My  Dog  ...  sat 
always  at  my 
Eight  Hand,"  etc 
[Cf.  117,151,286.] 


Goes  into 
the  wood 
for  diver- 
sion and 
for  game. 


At  one  time,  taking  a  fine 
flint-lock  musket  ^®  (for  I  now 
had  six  of  them),  I  went  into 
the  forest  for  diversion,  and 
also  to  see  if  I  could  get  a 
bull.  After  I  had  walked 
about  half  an  hour,  I  saw 
from  afar  an  exceedingly 
large  bird  which  was  sitting 
on  a  high  tree.  I  crept  up  as 
near  to  him  as  possible,  and 
standing  behind  a  large  tree 
and   laying  my  gun   over   a 


70.  "I  went  out 
once  at  least  every 
Day  with  my  Gun, 
as  well  to  divert 
myself,  as  to  see 
if  I  could  kill  any 
thing  fit  for  Food," 
etc.  [Cf.  p.  212, 
where  R.,  enumer- 
ating his  muskets 
for  the  third  time, 
adds  one  to  their 
number,  and  uses  a 
similar  form  of 
statement.  Cf.  p. 
31.] 

18  The  cabin-boy  did  not  include  this  in  any  of  his  in- 
ventories, and  by  bringing  it  in  thus  subsequently  he 
gives  variety  to  his  narrative.  In  the  same  way  he  later 
introduces  a  sounding-line  and  lead  (162),  his  spy- 
glass (165)  and  two  large  hooks  with  chains.  (162). 
His  spy-glass  is  one  of  the  few  articles  from  the  wreck 
to  be  thus  introduced  by  E.  On  this  point  cf.  further, 
p.  69. 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe 


67 


Kills  a 
large  bird. 


Descrip- 
tion of 
bird. 

(162) 


limb,  I  shot  him  right  in  the 
breast,  so  that  he  dropped 
dead.  He  fell  as  heavily  as  a 
big  sheep.  It  was  a  wonder- 
fully large  and  pretty  bird; 
his  body  was  of  the  size  of  a 
cassowary  that  I  had  seen  at 
Batavia.  He  was  too  big  to 
carry,  so  I  went  and  got  my 
wagon,  and  Draager  had  to  be 
hitched  up.  On  the  back  end 
of  the  wagon  I  had  a  projec- 
tion like  that  on  a  sled  for 
pushing.  I  laid  an  axe  with 
some  rope  on  the  wagon  and 
we  set  out  and  found  the  bird. 
I  placed  him  on  the  wagon 
and  brought  him  to  the  castle 
where  I  viewed  him  with  in- 
terest. His  bill  was  curved 
like  an  eagle's  beak,  but 
blood-red.  His  head  and 
breast  were  of  a  golden  yel- 
low, and  on  his  head  he  had  a 
very  beautiful  red  tuft.  His 
neck  as  far  as  his  back  was 
green  and  blue,  like  that  of 
some  of  our  tame  ducks  at 
home,  and  his  back  was  jet 


229.  [After  his  re- 
turn from  the 
Spanish  •wreck  E.] 
' ' began  to  repose 
myself  .  .  .  lived 
easy  enough. ' ' 
61.  [On  a  previous 
"view"  of  the 
country,  the  day 
after  he  landed, 
E.]  "shot  at  a 
great  Bird  which 
I  saw  sitting  upon 
a  Tree  on  the  Side 
of  a  great  Wood; 
...  I  took  it  to  be 
a  Blind  of  a  Hawk, 
its  Colour  and 
Beak  resembling 
it,  but  had  no 
Talons  or  Clawa 
more  than  com- 
mon, its  Flesh  was 
Carrion,  and  fit 
for  nothing,"  [Cf. 
Introd.,  p.  xlvii.] 
84.  "Nov.  14,  15, 
16  .  .  .  kill'd  a 
largo  Bird  that 
was  good  to  eat, 
but  I  knew  not 
what  to  call  it." 


68 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


black.  His  wings  were  blood- 
red  like  the  best  parrot 
feathers,  and  so  too  was  his 
tail.  His  legs  were  very  large 
and  black,  and  on  them  were 
very  thick  and  red  curved 
claws.  His  wings  were  ex- 
ceedingly large,  the  shafts  be- 
ing more  than  twice  as  thick 
as  swan 's  quills.  I  cut  off  his 
feet,  wings  and  head,  which  I 
let  dry.  On  stripping  his 
body  I  found  it  very  fat  and 
white,  and  when  cut  up  he 
was  inconceivably  fat  inside, 
not  strong  but  very  sweet.  I 
boiled  and  roasted  from  him 
several  days.  Draager  and  I 
gourmandized  tidbits  from 
him  until  he  was  gone. 

After  some  time  I  brought 
the  shallop  into  the  basin,  and 
made  some  oars  from  the 
wainscoting  that  I  had  broken 
out  of  the  great  cabin  and  out 
of  the  round-house ;  for  I  had 
taken  down  all  the  bunks  in 
the  latter,  the  wainscoting 
and  cupboards  in  the  former. 


194,  .  .  .  "when 
wandring  more  to 
the  West  Point  of 
the  Island  than  I 
had  ever  done  yet, 
and  looking  out  to 
Sea,  I  thought  I 
saw  a  Boat  ...  I 
had  found  a  Pros- 
pective-Glass [sic] 
or  two,  in  one  of 
the  Seamen 's 
Chests,  .  .  .  but  I 
had  it  not  about 
me,"  etc.  .  .  . 
[Note  that  the  use 
of  his  spy-glass  by 
E.  comes  after  fif- 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


69 


Sounds 
the  basin. 


(163) 


Hooks  a 

monstrous 

fish. 


Now,  I  rowed  sometimes  for 
diversion  in  the  basin,  to  fish 
there.  I  had  taken  the  sound- 
ing line  and  the  lead  from  the 
wreck,  and  once  wishing  to 
sound  the  basin,  I  found  it,  a 
cannon  shot  from  land,  quite 
fifty  fathoms  deep.  I  had 
found  in  the  ship  three  large 
hooks  with  chains,  used  for 
catching  sharks.  Fishing  with 
these  for  diversion  in  the 
basin,  I  tied  a  stout  stake  to 
the  line  for  my  float,  with  an- 
other good  set-float.  Lower- 
ing to  the  bottom  the  hook 
with  a  piece  of  meat  on  it,  I 
at  once  had  so  vigorous  a  bite 
that  my  floats  went  under  like 
lead.  I  slackened  my  line, 
and  rowed  quietly  to  land, 
where,  having  made  the  shal- 
lop fast,  I  pulled  up  very 
gently  and  got  the  float  in 
sight,  which  again  was 
dragged  down,  when  I  in  turn 
paid  out  my  line  again.  This 
continued  well  nigh  four 
hours,  during  which  I  alter- 


t  e  e  n  years,  al- 
though mention  of 
it  was  made  in  a 
paragraph  supple- 
mentary to  the  list 
of  objects  taken 
from  the  wreck. 
This  forms  a  strik- 
ing parallel  to  the 
earlier  narrative. 
Kobinson  intro- 
duces his  Perspec- 
tive Glass  (mis- 
printed * '  Prospec- 
tive ' '  in  three 
places,  pp.  194, 
215),  and  variously 
written  ' '  Glass, ' ' 
pp.  245,  274,  276; 
* '  Glasses, ' '  pp. 
216,  220,  308; 
"Perspective,"  p. 
238,  and  Perspec- 
tive Glass,  pp.  274, 
296.] 


70  Narrative  of  Sjoiike  Gahhes 

nately  pulled  in  and  paid  out, 
until  the  fish  being  tired  let 
himself  be  drawn  near  to  the 
shore. 

I  had  passed  my  line  over 
the  thick  limb  of  a  tree  that 
overhung  the  water,  and  over 
this  I  pulled  and  brought  him 
up.  As  soon  as  I  saw  a  great 
big  head  above  the  surface, 
that  was  more  than  mon- 
strous,^^ and  such  a  danger- 
ous mouth  stretched  wide 
open,  I  ran  frightened  into 
my  hut.  When  I  looked  out 
he  was  sinking  gradually 
towards  the  bottom,  drawing 
the  line  very  gently  after 
him.  I  tired  him  out  and  again 
gently  drew  him  close  to  the 
shore,  and  two  feet  above 
the  water,  when  I  looked  at 
him  attentively.  He  was  flat 
and  quite  as  large  as  a  good- 
sized  table,  well  nigh  like  a 
(164)  ray,  and  was  of  a  brown  color. 
Releases      I  took  a  cutlass  and  severed 


him. 


19  "Zeer   monstereus"    (Cf.   E.    C.   349,    "vast   mon- 
strous"). 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


71 


the  line  next  to  the  chain, 
when  he  once  more  settled  in- 
to the  water  and  did  not  come 
to  sight  again.  I  thought  of 
him  very  often,  but  never  be- 
fore nor  since  that  time  have 
I  seen  such  a  monster. 


Shoots 

black 

swans. 


Again,  once  upon  a  time 
when  I  was  on  Outlook  moun- 
tain, I  saw  a  great  many  large 
black  birds  in  the  depresesion 
or  outlet  through  which  the 
basin  discharges  into  the  sea. 
I  quickly  loaded  two  guns  and 
going  thither  I  shot  with  two 
charges  five  of  the  birds,  so 
close  together  were  they,  and 
getting  one  of  them,  I  saw 
that  they  were  black  swans. 
They  floated  with  the  flood 
tide  towards  the  basin.  I 
fetched  my  shallop,  picked  up 
the  other  dead  ones,  brought 
them  into  a  hut,  plucked  them 
and  saved  the  feathers.  Their 
grease  was  suitable  for  my 
lamp.  I  salted  four  and  dried 
them  in  the  smoke.    In  all  my 


111.  "I  kiU'd  a 
Sea-Fowl  or  two, 
something  like  a 
Brand-Goose. " 
83.  "killed  two 
Fowls  like  Ducks. ' ' 


72 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(165) 


First  use  of 
spy-glass. 
Discovers 
people    on 
the  strand. 


First 
visit  of 
savages. 


stay  similar  birds  had  not 
been  there.  I  shot  a  good 
many  of  them  for  the  grease, 
and  for  the  feathers  with 
which  I  filled  four  bed-ticks. 
After  some  time  they  went 
away  and  did  not  return. 

Now  I  and  my  Draager 
lived  as  we  pleased.  But  the 
world  and  all  that  is  therein 
and  thereon  are  subject  to 
change.  After  I  had  lived  a 
considerable  time  very  quietly 
and  happily  with  my  dog, 
thinking  little  more  of  the 
fatherland  or  of  the  ship,  I 
was  on  one  occasion  on  Out- 
look mountain,  looking 
around  with  a  spy-glass,  when 
I  discovered  some  people  near 
the  stake.  This  threw  me  into 
fear  and  into  hope,  for  I  did 
not  know  whether  it  would 
bring  me  good  or  ill,  happi- 
ness or  misfortune. 

Betaking  myself  to  my 
castle,  I  loaded  my  six  guns, 
closed  my  door  and  stopped 
the    peep-holes,    except    one 


197.  [After  eigh- 
teen years  on  the 
island]  "live  just 
in  the  same  com- 
pos 'd  Manner  as 
before  .  .  .  redu- 
e'd  to  my  former 
calm,  sedate  way 
of  Living." 


215.  "mounted  to 
the  Top  of  the  Hill, 
and  pulling  out  my 
Prospective-Glass ' ' 
[sic]  ..."  I  pres- 
ently found  there 
was  no  less  than 
nine  naked  Sav- 
ages." [First  vis- 
itation, and  first 
u^e  of  spy-glass  by 
either  exile!  Cf. 
also  238.] 

215.  "Then  I  pre- 
par'd  myself  with- 
in, putting  myself 
in  a  Posture  of  De- 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe 


73 


Prepares 

for 

defence. 


Natives 
build  fires. 


towards  the  strand.  I  bound 
Draager's  muzzle  so  that  he 
would  not  bark.  Looking  out, 
I  saw  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren marching  towards  the 
wreck,  entirely  unconscious  of 
my  castle.  They  looked  at  the 
wreck  and  went  on  to  the 
river  where,  finding  my  huts, 
they  made  frightful  gestures 
and  shouts  which  disturbed 
and  frightened  me  a  good 
deal. 


All  of  them  together  could 
not  do  anything  to  me  in  my 
castle,  but  they  were,  by  my 
guess,  about  a  hundred 
strong,  and  really  could 
starve  me  out.  From  the 
wood-hut  they  fetched  wood 
and  thanks  to  its  dryness 
made  fire  quickly,  and  appro- 
priated all  of  my  dried  fish 
that  they  could  find.  I  wit- 
nessed all  their  doings  through 
a  peep-hole.    They  sat  in  five 


fence;  I  loaded  all 
my  Cannon,  that  ia 
to  say,  my  Muskets, 
which  were  mount- 
ed upon  my  new 
Fortification,  and 
all  my  Pistols,  and 
resolv'd  to  defend 
myself  to  the  last 
Gasp,  not  forget- 
ting seriously  to 
commend  myself  to 
the  Divine  Pro- 
tection, and  earn- 
estly to  pray  to 
God  to  deliver  me 
out  of  the  Hands 
of  the  Barbar- 
ians." 

212.  "I  fancy 'd 
myself  now  like 
one  of  the  ancient 
Giants,  which  were 
said  to  live  in 
Caves  and  Holes  in 
the  Rocks,  where 
none  could  come 
at  them,"  etc. 
[This  was  after 
the  first  visitation 
of  savages.  Cf.  su- 
pra, p.   215.] 


74 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gaihes 


Discover 

casUe. 


(166) 


Tmst  in 
God. 


groups  about  the  fires.  "While 
they  were  eating,  warming 
themselves  and  blustering 
about,  one  of  them  (I  believe) 
saw  my  castle,  whereupon  he 
uttered  a  cry  and  all  came 
shouting  towards  me,  each 
running  at  the  top  of  his 
speed. 

While  they  were  still  at  the 
wreck,  I  prayed  God  that  he 
would  inspire  in  me  what  was 
best  for  me.  The  chances 
were  that  I  could  shoot  the 
half  of  them  dead,  but  I  had 
no  water.  They  could  prob- 
ably very  speedily  have 
starved  me  out.  Then,  too,  I 
could  not  know  if  still  more 
Southlanders  were  approach- 
ing or  not,  and  all  this  made 
me  full  of  anxiety  and  fear. 
In  case  I  came  out,  they  could 
kill  me.  I  knew  of  no  remedy. 
God  had  saved  me  from  so 
many  dangers,  I  now  prayed 
earnestly  to  Him  again;  and 
when  I  had  finished,  I  kindled 
a  fire  in  God's  name,  ate  my 


102.  "I  had  no 
water  in  my  whole 
Habitation. ' ' 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


75 


Fires  a 
shot  into 
the  air. 


Goes 

towards 

sayages. 


(167) 


fill  of  rusks,  drank  a  cup  of 
wine  with  them,  and  gave 
Draager  his  bellyful  of  fish 
and  ship-biscuit. 

I  fired  a  shot  into  the  air,  at 
which  they  all  fell  on  their 
faces.  I  drank  another  cup  of 
wine,  and  went  out  of  my 
castle  with  my  cutlass  and  a 
loaded  gun.  They  lay  at  the 
side  of  the  castle  in  the  edge 
of  the  wood,  still  all  on  the 
ground ;  when,  coming  out  of 
my  hut,  I  said  to  them,  "Men, 
what  country  is  this  ?  ^^  and 
what  people  are  you  ? ' '  They 
all  remained  flat  on  the 
ground  until  I  lifted  one  up 
by  the  hand,  and  made  signs 
to  him  that  the  others  also 
should  stand  up,  which  they 
did.  Then  I  motioned  to  them 
that  they  should  sit  down. 
This  I  did  with  great  polite- 
ness, with  one  arm  out- 
stretched motioning  down- 
wards to  them,  at  the  same 
time  turning  my  head  some- 

20C/.    The  Isle  of  Pines.   Boston,  1920,  p.  57. 


34.  "It  is  impossi- 
ble to  express  the 
Astonishment  of 
these  poor  Crea- 
tures at  the  Noise 
and  the  Fire  of  my 
Gun ;  some  of 
them  were  even 
ready  to  dye  for 
Fear,  and  fell 
down  as  Dead  with 
the   very   Terror. ' ' 


241.    "I   took   him 
up"   [Friday] 
250.    "taking    him 
up  by  the  Hand." 

243.       ' '  I  made 

Signs    for  him    to 

go,"    etc.  [Cf.   p. 
249.] 


76 


Narrative  of  Sjotike  Gahhes 


Distrib- 
utes food 
to  savages. 


what,  at  which  they  all  again 
fell  to  the  ground  on  their 
faces.  They  regarded  me  pos- 
sibly as  one  of  their  gods,  be- 
cause I  was  white  and  had 
thundered.  Having  the  gun 
in  my  hand,  I  fired  it  over 
their  heads.  They  remained 
prostrate,  lying  there  like 
dogs.  Taking  advantage  of 
this,  I  fetched  out  another 
loaded  gun,  with  a  basket-ful 
of  ship-biscuit,  and  taking  my 
former  position,  I  again  lifted 
up  a  man,  indicating  to  him 
that  they  should  all  stand  up, 
which  they  did,  and  after  I 
had  distributed  the  biscuit 
among  them,  they  became 
more  at  ease,  took  each  other 
by  the  hand  and  danced  thus 
around  my  castle,  singing  and 
sometimes  clapping  hands. 

They  were  all  as  naked  as 
they  were  born,  and  without 
shame  disburthened  them- 
selves from  behind  and  before 
like  dogs,  and  that  too  with- 
out even  turning  themselves 


288.  "for  it  was 
impossible  to  them 
to  conceive  that  a 
Man  could  dart 
Fire,  and  speak 
Thunder,  and  kill 
at  a  Distance  with- 
out lifting  up  the 
Hand,  as  was  done 
now. ' ' 

251.  "and  I  be- 
lieve, if  I  would 
have  let  him,  he 
would  have  wor- 
shipped me  and 
my  Gun." 


216.  "they  were 
stark  naked,  and 
had  not  the  least 
Covering  upon 
them. ' ' 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  77 


Two  races 
of  savages. 


around.  This  band  was  of 
two  races,  so  far  as  I  could 
see,  some  as  black  as  pitch, 
with  wool  on  their  heads; 
others  were  russet-colored  like 
fallen  and  dried  leaves,  and 
had  long  hair.  The  women 
had  very  thick  bellies,  and 
long  drooping  breasts,  and 
were  impudent  bitches. 

After  they  had  danced  and 
shouted  awhile,  they  all  dis- 
appeared in  the  forest.  I 
thanked  God  that  he  had  de- 
livered me  from  this  peril. 

I  now  believed  myself  to  be 
above  all  danger,  and  went 
and  examined  my  huts.  I 
found  that  my  wood  and  fish 
were  mostly  gone;  the  other 
things  they  had  not  touched. 

I  thought  it  was  now  time 
to  provision  my  castle,  in 
case  they  should  come  again. 
I  poured  out  the  brandy 
from  twelve  anker-cases,  and 
rinsing  the  bottles,  I  filled 
them  with  water  and  brought 
them  into  my  castle,  further 


216.  "for  an  Hour 
and  more  before 
they  went  off,  they 
went  to  dancing, 
and  I  could  easily 
discern  their  Pos- 
tures and  Gestures 
by  my  Glasses. ' ' 
[First  visitation.] 
238.  "they  were 
all  dancing  in  I 
know  not  how 
many  barbarous 
Gestures  and  Fig- 
ures their  own 
Way,  round  the 
Fire."  [Second 
visitation.] 

107.  "I  fill'd  a 
large  square  Case 
Bottle  with  Water, 


78 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Gets  more 
things 
from 
wreck. 


(169) 


furnishing  it  with  four  bottle- 
cases  of  mum,  four  cases  of 
French  and  three  of  Rhine 
wine,  and  two  of  wine-vin- 
egar. From  the  bread-hut  I 
brought  over  the  remaining 
three  casks  of  rusks,  with  six- 
teen chests  of  ship-biscuit,  ten 
Lej^den  and  twenty  cream 
cheeses,  twenty  pots  of  oil, 
thirty  bottles  full  of  butter, 
thirty-six  more  cartridge 
cases  with  filled  cartridges, 
besides  of  linen  and  woolen 
as  much  as  I  had  room  for, 
rope  in  sufi&ciency,  kettles, 
axes,  a  shovel,  et  cetera. 

My  castle  was  a  half  hour's 
walk  from  the  wreck.  I  went 
to  the  latter  with  my  wagon 
and  brought  away  twelve 
more  bottle-cases,  after  hav- 
ing set  out  the  bottles  which 
held  brandy,  and  broken  out 
the  middle  partitions;  I 
brought  the  cases  empty  to 
my  castle,  to  store  things  in. 
I  piled  chests  and  cases  one 
upon  another,  up  to  nine  and 


and  set  it  upon  my 
Table." 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe  79 


more  space 
in  castle 
by  consol- 
idation. 


Provides  ten  feet  high.  First,  I  filled 
the  undermost,  then  setting 
an  empty  one  on  this,  I  filled 
that  also,  and  so  in  succession. 
My  ladder,  chests,  and  bottle 
cases  were  my  steps,  by  means 
of  which  I  brought  the  empty 
containers  into  position.  I 
left  the  peep-holes  everywhere 
free. 

When  these  were  all  thus 
stowed  away  and  piled  up  one 
upon  another,  I  still  had,  in 
spite  of  the  quantity,  a  very 
large  and  spacious  chamber, 
for  it  was  twenty-eight  feet, 
measured  across  right  in  the 
middle,  from  one  wall  to  the 
other. 

I  had  enough  lamp-wicking 
and  tinder,  besides  candles, 
lamp  and  candlesticks. 

Next,  I  had  to  provide  my- 
self with  fire-wood  and  salt, 
which  I  also  fetched.     Fur- 


Adds  fur- 
ther to  his 

supplies  in  thcrmorc,  I  fetched  as  many 
empty  chests  from  the  gun- 
ner's room  as  I  could  store. 
With  my  dog  I  brought  these 


the  castle. 


78.  "I  had  no 
room  to  turn  my- 
self; so  I  set  my- 
self to  enlarge  my 
Cave  and  Works 
farther  into  the 
Earth." 


80 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(110) 


Harque- 
buses. 


Living  in 
peace  and 
plenty. 


into  the  castle,  after  having 
filled  them  with  rope,  rusks, 
and  with  whatever  I  fancied 
besides.  Also,  I  concealed  the 
rest  of  my  cheese  and  oil.  I 
now  intended  to  defend  my 
castle,  provided  no  forces 
with  firearms  should  come. 
My  opinion  was  that  I  was 
well  provided  for  six  years. 

At  one  time,  while  I  was 
examining  the  wreck  careful- 
ly, I  found  two  more  casks  of 
filled  hand-grenades  with 
fuses  in  them,  and  fetched  a 
hundred  and  fifty  over. 
Again,  noticing  the  butter 
tubs,  I  filled  three  more  bran- 
dy-ankers with  butter. 

I  found  also  four  brass 
harquebuses  -^  which  I 
brought  over,  besides  a  keg  of 
bullets. 

And  now  I  had  no  more 
storage  room,  but  was  ready 
and  provided  with  everj^- 
thing,  I  prayed  to  God  that 
He  would  keep  and  help  me, 

21  Swivel-guns. 


211.  [R.  removed 
to  the  newly  found 
cave,  for  security, 
those  things  about 
which  he  was  most' 
anxious — his  pow- 
der and  spare 
arms.] 

213.  "I  was  now 
in  my  twenty-third 
Year  of  Residence 
in  this  Island,  and 
...  I  could  have 
been  content  to 
have  capitulated 
for  spending  the 
rest  of  my  Time 
there,  even  to  the 
last  Moment,  till  I 
had  laid  me  down 
and  dy'd,  like  the 
old  Goat  in  the 
Cave.  I  had  also 
arriv'd  to  some  lit- 
tle Diversions  and 
Amusements,"  etc. 
[This  was  after 
the  first  visitation 
of  the  savages.] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


81 


Makes  pas- 
sage way 
and  gate. 


Second 
mention  of 
use  of  spy- 
glass. 


Second 
visit  of 
natives. 


(171) 


and  continued  to  live  in  peace 
and  plenty. 

I  began  to  construct  two 
fences,  eight  feet  high,  and 
eighteen  feet  long,  one  on 
each  side  of  the  door,  extend- 
ing straight  out,  and  in  order 
not  to  be  surprised,  I  closed 
this  passage  with  a  gate.  I 
may  add  that  I  dared  never 
go  so  far  abroad  as  formerly, 
and  always  first  scrutinized 
the  wood  or  the  river,  and 
then  used  my  spy-glass  from 
the  Outlook. 

In  the  course  of  time  dur- 
ing the  full  moon,  as  I  sat  be- 
fore my  door  smoking,  I 
heard  in  the  direction  of  the 
wood  a  dreadful  clamor  and 
shouting  that  frightened  me 
not  a  little.  It  approached 
nearer  and  nearer.  I  shut  my 
gate  and  door  as  securely  as  I 
could,  praying  God  for  help. 
The  noise  went  towards  the 
river  where  it  stopped. 

When  day  came,  I  saw  at 
the  river,  by  guess,  probably 


[R's  parallel  was 
his  passageway 
through  the  rock, 
which  he  finally 
closed  with  a  door, 
pp.   121,  247.] 

217.  "yet  all  this 
while  I  liv'd  un- 
comfortably, by 
reason  of  the  con- 
stant Apprehen- 
sions I  was  in  of 
their  coming  upon 
me  by  surprise. ' ' 

218.  "and  if  I  did 
at  any  time  ven- 
ture abroad,  it  was 
not  without  looking 
round  me  with  the 
greatest  care  and 
caution  imagin- 
able." [Cf.  also  p. 
229.] 


82 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Means 
war. 


Third  men- 
tion of  use 
of  spy-glass 

Katives 
have 
painted 
faces. 


Fires  into 
the  air. 


Natives 
laugh. 


a  thousand  people,  some  with 
wooden  spears,  and  others 
with  large  clubs  with  which 
they  broke  in  pieces  my  huts, 
and  then  burned  them;  from 
which  I  perceived  that  it  was 
war.  Having  loaded  my 
harquebuses  and  guns,  I  made 
ready  to  fight.  I  could  see, 
through  my  spy-glass,  that 
some  of  the  natives  had  en- 
tirely colored  their  faces  with 
a  yellowish  paint,  while  others 
had  rings  around  their  eyes, 
and  a  streak  over  their  fore- 
head and  nose.  Most  of  them 
were  not  painted  at  all. 

They  were  holding  a  coun- 
cil, so  it  seemed,  after  which 
they  came  running  with  yells 
up  to  the  castle  and  beat  upon 
it  with  their  clubs  amidst  a 
great  clamor.  I  fired  a  shot 
up  into  the  air,  and  looked  to 
see  whether  like  the  first  band 
they  also  would  fall  to  the 
ground,  but  they  remained 
standing  and  laughed,  and 
continued  to  beat  just  as  hard 


238.  [R's  second 
mention  of  the  use 
of  his  spy-glass 
was  when  he  saw 
the  Spanish  wreck 
(p.  220).  The  se- 
cond visit  of  na- 
tives was  his  third, 
as  it  was  also  of 
S.  Cf.  supra  p.  82, 
and  references  on 
p.  69  etc.] 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe  83 


Shoots  into 
band. 


Natives 
return. 
(172) 


Renew 
attack. 


on  my  fort,  so  I  shot,  through 
a  peep-hole,  one  of  the 
painted  ones  in  the  head,  and 
he  tumbled  over.  Then  I  fired 
another  shot  into  the  band, 
and  they  gave  a  mighty  shout 
and  fled  to  the  wood,  taking 
with  them  two  or  three  that 
were  dead  or  wounded.  ' '  God 
be  thanked  thus  far,"  said  I 
to  myself.  I  took  a  "roe- 
jjjgj."  22  q£  wine  on  the  vic- 
tory, and  gave  Draager  a  dish 
of  fish. 

After  about  half  an  hour 
they  came  back  with  terrible 
shouts,  but  did  not  dare  come 
very  near,  but  went  to  the 
strand  where  they  again  held 
a  council.  Then  twelve  paint- 
ed ones  with  their  wooden 
spears  came  forth  up  to  my 
gate,  but  not  being  able  to  get 
it  open,  made  signs  to  a  group 
that  had  thick  staves  and 
clubs.     These,    after    having 

22  A  long-.stemmed  glass,  bulging  below  the  rim.  The 
Germans  have  a  saying,  ' '  Rhein  Wein  aus  Eoemern. ' ' 
Drink  Rhine  wine  from  "roemers." 


84 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Cuts  off 
head  of 
dead 
savage. 


forcibly  broken  open  the  gate, 
stepped  into  the  passageway 
to  my  door,  when  I  let  fly  at 
them  with  a  harquebus  loaded 
with  musket-balls  and  case- 
Shoots  six.  gj^Q^^  g^  which  six  fell  in  their 

tracks,  and  the  others  went 
away  on  the  run.  I  came  out 
with  a  cutlass,  killed  those 
that  were  not  dead,  among 
whom  was  a  youth  whose 
head  I  cut  off  and  threw  out 
towards  those  that  had  re- 
tired, and  they  came  and 
stood  round  about  it.  I  went 
inside,  loaded  the  harquebus 
as  before,  and  then  took  three 
hand-grenades,  and  threw  one 
into  the  crowd.  They  re- 
mained where  they  were 
standing  and  it  struck.  Some 
were  wounded,  but  the  others 
stood  their  ground.  Indeed, 
even  more  came  up,  where- 
fore I  threw  my  second  and 
third  in  among  them,  which 
did  good  execution,  for  they 
yelped  like  dogs.  They  were 
still  near  by,  so  I  took  two 


242.  [Friday  cuts 
off  the  head  of 
dead  savage  with 
Eobinson  's  sword. 
This  was  in  this 
ease  also  the  sec- 
ond visitation  of 
the  natives.  Cf.  In- 
trod.,  p.  xliii.] 


Compared  with  RoMnson  Crusoe  85 

guns  and  coming  with  these 

to  the  end  of  the  passage-way, 

I   fired   one   into   the   crowd. 

One  man  fell  in  his  tracks, 

and   another   uttered   a   cry. 

Presently    I    fired   my   other 

gun    also,     whereupon    they 

went     yelping     towards     the 

strand.    Whether  they  buried 
(173)       their  dead  there  or  east  them 

into  the  sea,  I  do  not  know. 
jj,,j;^gg  They    went    to    the    river 

build  fires  whcrc  they  made  many  fires 
"re^ight^  and  stayed  by  them  that  day 
howling.       and  the  whole  night,  all  the 

while  howling  by  turns,  now 

at  one  fire  and  then  at  an- 
other.   During  the  day  I  had 

repaired   my    gate.      I    slept 

quietly,  for  I  had  had  a  dram, 

and  relied  firmly  on  the  wake- 
fulness of  my  dog. 
Enemies  The  suu  had  been  up  prob- 

return  and  ^^^y  ^j^  hour  whcU  my  CU- 
indicate 

submission,  cmies  agaui  drew  near  the 
strand,  silently  and  without  a 
cry.  Then  they  halted,  and 
after  holding  a  council,  as 
it    seemed,     twelve     painted 


86 


Narrative  of  SjouJce  Gahies 


(174) 


heroes  stepped  out  towards 
my  castle  with  their  wooden 
spears  in  their  hands.  I 
placed  my  harquebuses  in 
readiness  with  my  slow-match 
ignited  and  came  with  two 
loaded  guns  out  in  front  of 
my  door.  At  sight  of  me  they 
fell  upon  their  faces  and  after 
they  had  lain  some  time,  one 
stood  up,  grasped  an  earthen 
sod,  laid  it  on  his  head, 
crossed  his  arms  before  his 
breast,  and  came  all  bowed 
down  towards  me.  Wlien  he 
stopped  I  motioned  to  him. 
He  came  right  up  to  my  gate, 
and  squatting,  laid  both  of 
his  hands  like  an  ape  on  the 
sod  that  la}'  on  his  head,  also 
trying  several  times  to  speak, 
without  looking  at  me.  The 
main  band  were  watching  this 
from  a  distance,  and  his  elev- 
en comrades  remained  lying 
on  the  ground. 

Having  satisfied  myself 
that  everything  was  secure,  I 
took   my    gun   in   my    hand, 


Vol.  II.  114.  [On- 
ly in  one  passage 
does  E.  indicate  a 
posture  resembling 
in  some  degree 
that  described  in 
the  other  text:] 
' '  their  Posture  was 
generally  sitting 
upon  the  Ground, 
with  their  Knees 
up  towards  their 
Mouths,  and  the 
Head  put  between 
the  two  Hands, 
leaning  down  upon 
the  Knees."  [This 
has  no  such  signifi- 
cance as  squatting 
among  the  natives 
of  Java,  which 
even  to  this  day 
indicates  inferior- 
ity or  submission. 
It's  parallel  to 
the  squatting  in 
Sjouke's  narrative 
was  the  act  of 
placing  R's  foot 
on  Friday 's  head 
by  the  latter.  Cf. 
infra,  p.  97.] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  87 

hung  a  naked  cutlass  by  a 
rope  on  my  arm,  and  stepped 
to  my  gate  (which  was  a  stout 
hedge)  where  the  native  was 
squatting  three  or  four  steps 
away.  I  said  to  him,  ''Here, 
fellow,  what  do  you  want?" 
He  looked  up  and  I  motioned 
to  him  to  come  to  the  hedge. 
When  he  reached  it,  he  began 
to  howl,  and  clapping  on  his 
breast  pointed  to  the  dead 
bodies  and  then  to  the  sea, 
from  which  I  concluded  that 
he  wanted  to  fetch  the  dead 
bodies  away.  Hereupon  I 
made  signs  that  the  others,  in- 
cluding those  that  lay  on  the 
ground,  should  leave.  He 
turned  around  and  called  to 
them,  whereupon  they  all  got 
up  and  ran  to  the  large  band 
on  the  shore. 

I    bade    him    stand    still. 
Gives  sav    ^^igh  hc  did.    I  fetched  some 

age  rusks  ,        o.  •   i 

and  wine,  rusks  and  Spanish  wme, 
which  I  ate  and  drank  with 
him,  I  within,  and  he  without, 
the  gate.     When  I  saw  that 


88 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(175) 
Native 
removes 
bodies 


Gives    sav- 
age wine 
and  rusks 
for  the 
band. 


that  pleased  him,  I  indicated 
that  he  must  come  alone  and 
take  away  the  dead  bodies, 
first  retiring  a  short  distance, 
which  he  did. 

After  I  had  unfastened  the 
gate  and  gone  into  my  castle, 
where  I  was  sitting  inside  my 
door,  with  my  harquebuses 
and  guns  ready,  he  came  into 
the  passage  and  dragged  the 
bodies,  one  by  one,  a  bit  away 
outside  the  gate,  and  threw 
them  down  in  a  heap. 

When  he  had  fetched  the 
last  one  and  was  outside,  I 
came  out  again  with  wine  and 
rusks.  Motioning  to  him  to 
stand  still,  I  shut  my  gate 
very  tight,  and  made  a  sign 
that  he  should  come  to  me, 
which  he  did.  I  presented 
him  with  six  rusks  and  a 
bottle  of  wine.  Taking  these, 
he  again  squatted,  and  after 
having  snored  like  a  sleeping 
person,  he  got  up  and  went  to 
the  main  band.  I  stayed  at 
the  grate  in  order  to  be  able  to 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


89 


(176) 


see  whatever  they  might  un- 
dertake to  do. 

Thirty-six  painted  heroes 
with  their  spears  came  howl- 
ing up  to  the  dead  bodies,  and 
lifting  them,  carried  them  to 
the  large  band.  When  they 
reached  it,  a  terrible  howling 
and  yelling  began.  They 
marched  thus  to  the  river. 
Similar  outbursts  continued 
through  the  entire  night,  first 
at  one  fire,  then  at  another, 
and  sometimes  at  two  fires  to- 
gether, all  of  which  I  could 
see  and  hear. 

In  the  morning  the  corpse- 
bearer  came  right  up  to  my 
gate  where  he  began  to  howl 
dismally.  Perceiving  through 
my  peep-holes  that  no  other 
people  were  near,  I  came  out 
with  gun  and  cutlass.  He  was 
squatting  as  before,  with  both 
of  his  hands  on  his  head.  I 
made  a  sign  that  he  should 
remain  thus,  and  turning 
around,  I  was  proceeding  to 
fetch  wine  and  bread  for  him. 


[R.  includes  a 
' '  howl ' '  in  many 
of  his  descriptions 
of  noise  made  by 
the  natives:] 
Vol.  II,  68.  "they 
gave  two  great 
skreaming 
Shouts. ' ' 

Vol.  II,  113.  "dis- 
mal Skreaming  and 
Howling!  " 
Vol.  II,  114,  "they 
all  run  skreaming 
and  yawling  away, 
with  a  kind  of  a 
howling  Noise. ' ' 
Vol.  II,  116,  "raisr 
ed  a  hideous  Cry." 
Vol.  II,  270.  "made 
such  a  Howling 
and  Crying,  that  I 
never  heard  a 
worse  Noise. ' ' 
Vol.  II,  330.  "rais- 
ed a  howling  Cry. ' ' 
Vol.  II,  331.  "a 
most  hideous  Out- 
cry and  Howling. ' ' 

157.      ' '  Bread,      I 
mean  the  Bisket. " 


90 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Katives 
retire. 


Draager  barked,  and  when  I 
looked  back,  this  chap  was 
away  up  on  the  fence,  but  as 
soon  as  I  saw  him,  I  shot  him 
and  he  tumbled  down  on  the 
outside,  whereupon  a  uni- 
versal yell  and  mighty  howl 
went  up  at  the  river. 

A  painted  man  came  out 
from  the  band,  just  as  the 
dead  one  had  done.  I  threw 
two  biscuits  to  him,  and  al- 
lowed him  to  drag  off  the  dead 
body.  On  the  w^ay  several 
others  met  him  to  help  him 
carry  it.  Wlien  they  reached 
the  dead  one  they  yelled  at 
the  top  of  their  lungs,  and 
when  they  joined  the  band 
with  the  corpse,  they  all 
yelled  equally  loud,  as  if  the 
uttermost  ruin  were  ap- 
proaching them.  Finally  they 
went  off  into  the  forest.  Any- 
body can  think  whether  I  was 
glad.  Having  closed  my  gate, 
door  and  peep-holes,  I  lighted 
a  fire  and  boiled  and  roasted 
like   a   prince,   making   good 


Cf.  56,  63,  "Bis- 
ket;"  97,  121,  127, 
"Bisket  -  cake;" 
23,  ' '  Kusk  or  Bis- 
ket of  their 
Kind. ' '] 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe  91 

cheer  with  Draager.  I  set  up 
a  victory-beaker,  and  laid  my- 
self quietly  to  sleep  for  a  long 
stretch  into  the  following 
morning. 


(177) 


Inasmuch  as  I  had  paper      75.  "while  my  ink 

ir^nn-li  T       ■I^Tr^/^+/^        /1/~v»iti->        oil  Inst^fJ,  T  Irpnt. 


enough,  I  wrote  down  all 
these  events,  and  know  them 
almost  by  heart  from  having 
read  them  often. 


lasted,  I  kept 
things  very  ex- 
act." [Cf.  also  p. 
122.] 


To  gain  space  in  my  castle 
I  broke  up  my  clay  floor  and 
threw  it  away.  I  embedded 
the  oil  pots  in  the  ground,  and 
consolidated  my  belongings  as 
much  in  breadth  and  height 
as  I  could.  I  fetched  more 
powder,  case-shot  and  bullets 
from  the  wreck,  with  many 
more  biscuit,  and  everything 
else  that  I  considered  neces- 
sary and  could  stow  away. 

With  crowbars  and  chisels 
I  made  four  loop-holes,  two 
towards  the  wood  and  one  on 


179.  [R.  gained 
space  by  enlarg- 
ing his  cave.  Cf. 
supra,   p.   36.] 


124.  "This  made 
me  resolve  to  cut 
some  more  Stakes, 


92 


Narrative  of  Sjoitke  Galhes 


Plants 
sharp  poles 
around 
his  fort. 


Approach 
possible 
by  only 
one  way. 


Finds  sods 
on  fence 
poles. 


Third   visit 
of  natives. 


each  of  the  adjacent  sides, 
and  plastered  them  well. 
Around  my  fort  I  put  into 
the  ground  stakes  sharpened 
at  the  upper-end,  in  two  rows 
that  were  two  paces  apart. 
And  now  no  one  could  get 
near  me  in  the  fort  except 
through  my  passage-way. 


Once  upon  a  time  during 
the  night  Draager  began  to 
bark  violently,  yet  I  heard  no 
noise;  but  on  awaking  in  the 
morning,  I  saw  that  all  my 
poles  were  covered  with  green 
sods.  Frightened  at  this,  I 
thought  that  if  an  enemy  were 
numerous  enough,  they  might 
easily  bury  my  entire  fort.  I 
looked  about  in  all  directions, 
but  perceived  no  one.  When 
I  let  Draager  out,  he  betrayed 
no  suspicions.  Throughout 
the  entire  day  I  kept  a  sharp 
lookout,  but  saw  no  one.  In 
the  evening  I  made  a  light 
and  went  to  bed.    In  the  early 


and  make  me  a 
Hedge  like  this  in 
a  Semicircle  round 
my  Wall;  I  mean 
that  of  my  first 
Dwelling,  which  I 
did ;  and  placing 
the  Trees  or  Stakes 
in  a  double  row, 
at  about  eight 
Yards  distance 

from  my  first 
Fence,  they  grew 
presently,  and  were 
at  first  a  fine  Cov- 
er to  my  Habita- 
tion, and  after- 
ward serv'd  for  a 
Defence  also,  as  I 
shall  observe  in  its 
Order." 

190.  "I  resolv'd 
to  draw  me  a  sec- 
ond Fortification, 
in  the  same  Man- 
ner of  a  Semi-cir- 
cle, at  a  Distance 
from  my  Wall, 
just  where  I  had 
jdanted  a  double 
Row  of  Trees, 
about  twelve  Years 
before.  .  . " 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe 


93 


(178) 

Surround- 
ed at 
night. 


Fires  at 
random. 


Outlook. 


night  Draager  began  again  to 
bark.  Having  screened  my 
light,  I  quietly  opened  my 
loop-holes  and  silently  level- 
ling my  harquebuses  I  let  fly 
in  different  directions.  There- 
upon followed  a  terrible  yell. 
Directly  closing  the  loop-holes 
again,  I  loaded  my  weapons 
with  a  heavy  charge,  and 
brought  them  again  to  bear. 
After  about  two  hours  Draa- 
ger  began  again  to  growl.  I 
stopped  him  from  barking, 
and  at  once  fired  around 
again,  at  which  again  fol- 
lowed the  same  sort  of  cry.  I 
stopped  up  my  loop-holes, 
loaded  my  harquebuses  again 
and  went  to  bed,  leaving  the 
watch  and  all  to  Draager. 

When  day  came,  neither 
my  dog  nor  I  perceived  any 
danger,  and  I  went  out  in- 
tending to  go  to  the  Out- 
look, but  dared  not  do  so  for 
fear  of  being  surprised.  I 
therefore  stayed  all  day  at 
and  in  the  fort,  keenly  on  the 


214.  "I  was  sur- 
priz'd  with  seeing 
a  light  of  some 
File  upon  the 
Shore  .  .  .  (215) 
step'd  short  within 
my  Grove,  not  dar- 
ing to  go  out,  lest  I 
might  be  surpriz'd 


94 


Narrative  of  Sjoiike  Gahhes 


Natives 
build  fires 
at  night. 


(179) 


alert  and  keeping  watch  with 
Draager,  In  the  evening, 
after  I  had  shut  fast  my  gate 
and  door,  I  made  a  fire  and  a 
light.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  night  Draager  growled  as 
before.  Looking  out  through 
my  peep-holes,  I  saw  a  great 
many  fires,  yes,  fires  without 
number,  as  well  at  the  river 
and  along  the  strand,  as 
everywhere  in  the  wood, 
which  disturbed  me  some- 
what, though  I  speedily  be- 
came calm,  thinking  that  be- 
cause God  had  protected  me 
so  many  times.  He  would  pro- 
tect me  now  as  well. 

Having  placed  everything 
in  readiness  that  could  serve 
in  an  approaching  battle,  and 
standing  two  lint-stocks  close 
at  hand,  I  gave  Draager  only 
a  little  to  eat,  so  that  he  would 
not  become  drowsy.  I  ate 
some  rusks  with  a  little  wine 
and  went  to  bed,  and  slept 
until  Draager  waked  me  by 
barking.  Then  I  heard  a  good 


.  .  .  Then  I  pre- 
par'd  myself  ■with- 
in ..  .  not  for- 
getting to  com- 
mend myself  to  the 
Divine  Protec- 

tion." 


Compared  with  Rodinson  Crusoe  95 


deal  of  noise,  yells  and  calls, 
and  what  sounded  sometimes 
as  if  there  were  singing. 
Wlien  I  looked  out,  I  saw 
aflj-el^  the  wreck  in  full  flame,  which 

so  startled  me  that  I  could  not 
stand.  Creeping  to  my  bunk 
I  fainted  away,  but  when  I 
came  to  myself  again,  and 
realized  the  situation,  I 
prayed  to  God,  crying  for 
help.  After  a  few  hours  the 
fire  reached  the  powder-room 
and  caused  a  fearful  blast, 
whereupon  a  terrible  shout 
went  up.  The  entire  army 
was  gathered  near  the  wreck, 
dancing,  jumping  and  sing- 
ing. In  silence  I  awaited  the 
outcome  of  it  all,  and  placed 
myself  entirely  at  ease,  for  I 
knew  that  I  had  food,  drink, 
powder  and  lead,  in  a  strong 
fort,  where  they  could  do 
nothing  to  me. 

When  day  came  and  there 
were  no  natives  in  sight,  I 
stepped  out  well  armed  with 
Draager,    went    around    my 


96 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Goes  to 

burnt 

wreck. 

(180) 


Outlook. 


While  he  is 
asleep  at 
the  Out- 
look, castle 
is  cap- 
tured. 


castle  and  looked  in  every 
direction  with  a  spy-glass,  but 
saw  nothing  unusual. 

Towards  midday  I  thought 
I  would  take  a  walk  over  to 
the  wreck  and  see  what  con- 
dition it  was  in. 

After  I  had  had  my  mid- 
day meal,  I  went  thither  with 
Draager.  I  had  a  loaded  gun 
hanging  by  a  rope  from  my 
shoulder,  and  a  cutlass-^  by 
my  side.  On  my  arrival  there, 
I  found  some  pieces  and  frag- 
ments, some  of  them  still 
burning;  tears  moistened  my 
eyes  at  the  sight,  I  went  with 
a  sorrowful  heart  up  to  the 
Outlook  to  see  if  from  there  I 
could  discover  any  people  still 
in  the  vicinity.  I  saw  not  a 
soul,  and  sitting  down  there, 
I  fell  asleep.  When  I  awoke 
I  saw  people  at  my  castle.  I 
was  completely  alarmed.  I 
went  down  and  walked  slowly 
towards    it,    considering    the 

23There  is  no  mention  of  a  scabbard  anywhere  in  this 
narrative. 


216.  "I  took  two 
Guns  upon  my 
Shoulders,  and  two 
Pistols  at  my  Gir- 
dle, and  my  great 
Sword  by  my  Side, 
without  a  Scab- 
bard." [  Cf.  p. 
177.  This  was  af- 
ter the  first  visita- 
tion of  savages  ac- 
tually witnessed  by 
R.] 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe  97 

while  what  I  should  do.  As  I 
neared  the  castle,  I  saw  prob- 
ably thirty  painted  men,  who 
had  taken  possession  of  it. 
Anybody  can  imagine  my 
state  of  mind.  I  reflected 
''delay  is  dangerous,"  and 
determined  to  die  or  win  back 
my  fort.  My  courage  was 
greater  than  ever,  and  I 
looked  upon  these  people  as 
Approaches  nothing  better  than  dogs.    As 

natives.  °  .  .  "^ 

I  was  walking  right  up  to 
them,  one  of  their  number 
without  his  spear  came  to- 
squats.  wards  me  and  squatted,  as  in 
the  former  case,  and  I  mo- 
tioned to  him  to  stand  up, 
which  he  did.  While  we  were 
standing  quietly  together,  an- 
other of  the  group  came  to- 
wards me  with  a  spear.  About 
half-way,  he  threw  from  him 
his  spear,  and  coming  to 
(181)  the  first  man,  squatted.  I 
motioned  him  to  rise,  which 
he  did.  Then  he  pointed  to 
his  people,  beat  upon  his 
breast,  and  made  a  sign  that 


98 


Narrative  of  Sjoiike  Gahhes 


Made  pris- 
oner and 
stripped. 


no  harm  should  happen  to  me. 
While  I  stood  thus,  thinking 
what  I  should  do,  I  was  em- 
braced and  seized  from  be- 
hind. The  two  that  stood  in 
front  of  me  also  darted  for- 
ward, and  the  six  of  them 
took  away  my  gun.,  and  pulled 
off  my  clothes.  Then  I  was  as 
naked  as  they,  and  thought 
naught  else  than  that  they 
would  kill  me,  the  more  be- 
cause those  that  were  near  the 
fort  came  up  on  the  run  with 
their  spears,  yelling;  but 
one  of  those  that  had  seized 
me  made  a  sign  to  them,  and 
they  all  threw  aside  their 
spears,  came  up  to  me,  and  all 
squatted. 


Compared  with  Rolinson  Crusoe  99 


Natives 
dance  and 
sing 
around 
him. 


(182) 


March 
away  with 
prisoner. 


And  immediately  standing  up  again,  they  took 
each  other  by  the  hand,  and  sang  and  danced 
thus  round  about  me.     I  motioned  towards  my 
castle,  thinking  were  I  only  in  it,  ''I  would  teach 
you  a  different  kind  of  dance!"     The  six  that 
had  undressed  me  and  stood  by  me,  together  laid 
hold  of  me  and  I  too  had  to  dance  with  them ; 
whereupon  the  others  clapped  their  hands  and 
shouted  as  loud  as  they  could.     I  danced  in  a 
sorrowful  mood  although  I  now  perceived  clearly 
that  they  did  not  wish  to  kill  me.    The  dancing 
having  ended,  I  again  motioned  them  towards 
my   castle,   whereupon   one   shouted   and  some 
twenty  more  natives  came  out  of  it  into  view, 
who  had  concealed  themselves  there  until  now. 
Wlien  these  joined  us  each  man  took  up  his 
wooden  spear  again.     They  placed  me  in  their 
midst,  and  began  to  march  along  the  strand.     I 
kept  looking  at  the  fort,  and  as  we  passed  it,  I 
began  to  weep,  over  which  they  did  not  once  con- 
cern themselves.    We  passed  also  the  stake  where 
I  had  dug  up  my  chest  et  cetera,  at  the  sight  of 
which   my  heart   became   more   and   more   op- 
pressed.    Then,  having  walked  along  the  strand 
about  six  hours,  they  turned  to  the  left  into  the 
forest,  and  after  a  half  hour  came  to  a  halt,  and 
got  some  fruit  of  which  we  all  partook.     They 
broke  boughs  from  the  trees,  and  placed  them 
on  the  ground  for  their  bedding  with  me  in 


100 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


(183) 


Small  bas- 
kets for 
smudges. 


Mosquitoes 
and  flies. 


their  midst,  and  gave  some  to  me,  which  I 
laid  under  a  big  tree,  and  lay  down  upon  them 
naked,  and  became  as  cold  as  ice.  They  lay 
round  abovit  me,  sleeping  quietly,  except  six  that 
remained  awake  all  the  time  and  sang  as  they 
held  watch  over  me,  and  periodically  were  re- 
lieved by  others.  On  account  of  their  singing 
and  the  cold  I  could  not  sleep.  Noticing  that, 
they  made  a  fire,  and  laid  me  by  it ;  I  recovered 
somewhat.  I  commended  myself  to  God,  and 
awaited  patiently  what  should  happen,  thinking 
continually  of  my  castle. 

In  the  morning  we  resumed  our  march,  and 
after  an  hour  came  out  of  the  forest  at  a  pool 
where  there  were  about  a  thousand  little  baskets, 
woven  from  thin  twigs,  of  a  fashion  and  size  like 
a  gunner's  lantern.  Of  these  each  person  took 
one,  and  they  gave  me  one  also.  I  examined  it, 
and  found  that  its  bottom  inside  and  halfway 
up  was  lined  with  clay  or  potter's  earth,  and  that 
in  it  there  was  the  bark  of  some  kind  of  tree.  I 
could  not  realize  what  this  meant,  but  after  an 
hour's  walk,  when  the  sun  was  somewhat  higher, 
I  saw  millions  of  mosquitoes  and  flies  come  up 
out  of  the  marsh,  whereupon  the  people  quickly 
set  fire  to  the  bark  in  their  baskets,  and  made  it 
smoke.  This  smoke  had  a  pleasant  odour,  and 
kept  all  the  mosquitoes  and  flies  away  from 
us.    Having  passed  this  morass,  we  came  towards 


Compared  with  Robinson  Crusoe        101 

evening  again  into  a  wood,  where  they  at  once 
made  fire,  and  proceeded  to  lie  down  around  it, 
guarding  me  as  before. 

In  the  morning  we  marched  on  again,  and 
again  came  out  on  to  the  strand  at  a  great  bay. 
Proceeding  along  the  strand  about  two  hours, 
we  encountered  a  river,  and  after  having  walked 
along  it,  we  again  entered  a  wood,  where  many 
fruits  were  growing.    About  midday  we  made  a 

(184)  halt,  and  another  band  joined  us.  The  first  all 
squatted.  After  that,  they  stood  up  and  sang 
and  danced  like  mad.  The  others  had  brouglit 
fruit  with  them,  and  after  it  had  been  distrib- 
uted, we  went  on  again.  After  about  two  hours' 
march  we  found  floating  in  the  river  many  rafts 
tied  fast  with  ropes  to  trees  that  stood  on  the 

se  rafts    bank.    By  means  of  these,  we  set  ourselves  across, 

cross  -,  .-,  . 

and  went  on  till  we  came  to  another  river,  again 
doing  with  the  rafts  that  lay  there,  as  we  had 
done  before.  Having  in  this  manner  passed 
about  six  or  seven  rivers,  we  came  to  a  sandy  flat. 
We  had  now  marched  some  seven  or  eight  days. 
I  was  tired  and  dispirited,  although  they  had 
done  me  every  service  they  could.  We  crossed 
over  this  plain,  and  again  entered  the  forest, 
when  they  all  began  to  sing,  some  running  ahead 
during  the  singing.  I  saw  many  people  and  huts 
afar  off.  Wlien  we  approached  them  great  num- 
bers of  the  people  came  towards  us  to  see  me. 


102 


Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 


Comes  be- 
fore aged 
chief. 


(185) 


Is  married 
to  native. 


We  still  went  on,  and  I  came  in  front  of  a  large 
hut,  where  an  oldish  man  sat  in  the  door,  before 
whom  we  all  had  to  squat.  After  having  looked 
closely  at  me  he  made  me  come  to  him.  He  held 
a  long  discourse  with  those  that  had  captured  me, 
but  I  could  not  understand  what  was  said. 

When  they  had  ended  their  discourse,  I  had  to 
go  into  the  big  hut,  where  I  saw  four  naked 
youths  and  six  naked  young  females.  These  all 
came  up  to  me,  inspected  me  very  closely, 
touched  and  felt  my  body  all  over.  I  stood  there, 
stupidly,  not  knowing  what  they  were  going  to 
do  with  me.  After  an  hour  all  in  the  hut  -*  be- 
gan to  sing  and  to  dance  around  me,  in  which 
the  master  of  the  house  also  took  part,  and  then 
one  of  the  aforenamed  females  came  and 
squatted  before  me.  They  motioned  to  me  that 
I,  too,  must  squat,  and  when  I  did  so,  the  old 
man  stood  up  and  laying  a  hand  on  the  head  of 
each  of  us,  began  to  shout  so  loud  that  I  was 
frightened.  Then  those  that  were  outside  the 
hut  answered.  Those  inside  again  began  to  sing 
and  to  dance,  and  those  outside  the  hut  did  the 
same.  This  having  lasted  by  guess  a  half  hour, 
the  young  woman  stood  up,  took  me  by  the  hand 
and  walked  outside  with  me,  followed  by  the 
others.    She  led  me  to  a  neighboring  empty  hut, 

24"  Tent"  —  synonymous  with  "hut." 


Compared  ivith  Bohinson  Crusoe        103 

where  this  daughter  and  I  went  in.  The  others 
shut  the  door,  after  which  they  went  away  sing- 
ing and  we  two  remained  alone  by  ourselves  in 
the  hut. 

(186)  I  looked  all  through  the  hut,  and  saw  in  it  a 
basket  with  roasted  fish  that  was  still  warm.  She 
took  a  herring  out  of  it  with  her  hand,  opened  it 
and  offered  it  to  me.  I  took  time  by  the  forelock, 
thinking  I  should  recognize  the  opportunity  and 
make  use  of  it,  and  feast  as  much  as  I  could. 

After  this  the  door  of  our  hut  was  opened,  and 
I  followed  her  out.  She  led  me  again  into  the 
big  cabin,  where  roast  meat,  fish  and  eggs  were 
set  before  me.    Having  eaten  hurriedly,  we  went 

(187)  to  the  river  to  catch  fish.  When  evening  came,  I 
had  to  go  to  our  hut  again  with  my  heathen, 
where  we  remained  sleeping  until  morning.  My 
greatest  hardship  was  that  I  had  to  go  naked.-^ 

Outcry.  I  had  lived  thus  a  month  or  two,  when  there 

arose  one  night  a  frightful  outcry,  which  be- 
came more  and  more  intense.  My  companion  also 
cried  and  wept.  I  was  frightened.  She  em- 
braced me  all  in  tears,  then  releasing  me  she 
went  and  squatted,  beating  on  her  breast.  I 
pushed  open  the  door  of  our  hut  and  saw  in- 
numerable fires  around  as  far  as  my  vision  could 


25  E.    "  could  not  abide  the   thoughts   of  .   .   .  going 
naked."  158. 


104  Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 

reach,  but  did  not  know  what  it  all  meant.  She 
indicated  to  me  that  it  was  oiir  enemies,  who 
would  kill  us.  I  motioned  in  return  that  we 
should  flee.  She  made  a  sign  that  we  were  sur- 
rounded. We  went  together  to  the  big  cabin. 
The  old  man  sat  there  dejected  and  groaning. 
Taking  a  wooden  spear,  I  asked  for  warriors  to 
go  to  meet  the  enemy,  but  the  old  man,  shaking 
his  head,  got  a  horn,  went  to  the  door  of  the 
cabin  and  blew  as  hard  as  he  could;  thereupon 
followed  the  sound  of  about  a  hundred  horns. 
Not  knowing  what  that  meant,  I  went  to  my  hut, 
taking  a  wooden  spear  with  me  with  the  inten- 
(188)  tion  of  protecting  myself,  whoever  might  come 
against  me.  My  female  companion  followed  me, 
lamenting  and  weeping.  In  the  course  of  time 
day  came,  and  I  saw  afar  off  several  groups  of 
men,  people  clothed  and  armed  —  to  my  great 
amazement.  I  also  heard  shooting,  which  ap- 
peared still  more  strange.  Taking  my  female  by 
the  hand,  I  motioned  to  her  that  she  should  go 
with  me  towards  the  place  where  the  shooting 
was.  It  seemed  to  me  they  would  not  kill  me. 
She  was  unwilling  to  do  so,  and  I  went  alone  to 
meet  the  enemy,  and  came  to  a  troop  of  horse, 
and  when  the  captain  saw  me,  he  halted.  I  fell 
on  my  knees  and  clasped  my  hands  together.  He 
motioned  to  me  to  come  to  him,  which  I  did,  and 
was  narrowly  inspected  by  him.     He  caused  a 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe        105 


Is  clothed 
and 

mounts  a 
horse. 


(189) 


Slaughter 
of  savages 


coat,  breeches  and  a  hat  to  be  given  me,  also  a 
horse  onto  which  I  climbed,  but  not  having  sat  a 
horse  much  in  my  life,  one  can  think  how  that 
went.  I  rode  in  the  front  rank.  And  so  riding 
gently  forward  we  came  to  our  hut.  I  pointed 
out  to  the  captain  that  this  was  the  hut  where  I 
lived,  and  asked  him  with  folded  hands  to  spare 
it.  He  at  once  placed  several  horsemen  before 
the  door,  among  whom  was  myself.  Now  I  saw 
different  troops  coming  from  all  sides.  A  cannon 
was  fired,  at  which  signal  there  began  a  murder- 
ing that  was  pitiful  to  see.  Not  only  men  and 
women,  but  children  willingly  let  themselves  be 
killed,  without  defending  themselves  more  than 
did  the  ancient  Jews  on  their  Sabbath.  This 
moved  me  to  cry  out,  when  an  under-ofiScer  look- 
ing at  me  sternly,  rattled  his  sword,  so  I  had  to 
be  silent,  because  he  was  in  command  of  us  who 
were  in  front  of  the  hut.  I  asked  him  if  I  might 
go  into  the  hut,  which  he  with  a  sign  permitted. 
I  got  off  the  horse  and  went  in.  All  in  the  hut 
began  to  shout,  and  squatted.  I  hem-hem 'd  to 
them,  whereupon  they  became  silent.  This  I  had 
learned  from  the  old  man,  who  did  that  when  he 
wished  to  be  heard.  They  knew  me  from  my 
white  face,  and  from  seeing  my  hands  and  feet, 
and  my  female  darted  to  me  and  embraced  me 
in  tears.  Upon  my  saying  "hem  !  hem !"  she  be- 
came still.    She  gave  me  a  roasted  fish  and  some 


106  Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 

eggs,  which  I  distributed  among  my  fellow  horse- 
men in  addition  to  some  fruit,  which  they  ac- 
cepted and  ate.  It  was  strange  that  all  these 
people  so  willingly  let  themselves  be  put  to 
death,  without  offering  the  least  resistance,  just 
(190)  as  if  they  all  were  doomed  to  a  religious  sacri- 
fice.2« 

The  massacre  being  ended,  I  rode  as  a  newly 
captured  horseman  back  with  my  troop,  without 
knowing  whither.  After  some  days'  march  we 
came  to  an  arm  of  the  sea,  where  many  rafts  lay, 
some  with  two,  others  with  three  or  four  sails; 
by  these  we  were  all  set  over. 

Our  company  was  a  hundred  men  strong,  rid- 
ing in  ten  ranks.  Each  rank  had  an  officer  or 
corporal.  On  their  standards  was  a  golden  sun 
in  blue  satin,  in  which  the  angel  Baloka  in  a 
purple  garment  was  seated,  writing.  This  had 
more  eyes  than  are  ever  represented  on  Argus. 
His  appearance  was  very  wonderful,  because  it 
consisted  altogether  of  eyes,  ears  and  hands, 
goes  to  which  appeared  strange  to  me.  "We  were  the  first 
Kesmes  company  to  return,  of  three  thousand  horsemen, 
being  auxiliaries  which  this  island,  Krinke 
Kesmes,  had  loaned  to  her  neighbors.  Upon 
landing,  I  was  placed  in  a  peasant's  house  until 
an  order  came  from  Kesmes  that  I  should  go 
thither.  On  my  arrival  at  Kesmes  I  was  brought 
26As  described  on  page  83  of  Krinke  Kesmes. 


Compared  with  Rohinson  Crusoe        107 


into  a  scholastic  assembly  where  twenty-four  very 
eminent  men  were  sitting.     The  chairman  made 

(191)  me  sit  at  a  small  table,  on  which  were  paper,  pen 
and  ink.  They  indicated  to  me  that  I  must  write, 
and  after  I  had  done  so,  my  writing  went  around. 

Writes  out  and  each  of  these  gentlemen  inspected  it  in  turn, 
his  adven-    yyj^iw  an  illustrious  looking  man,  receiving  it  into 

tures.  1  •      1  T  T    •         1 

his  hand,  read  it  aloud,  and  rising,  asked  me  in 
good  Dutch  how  I  had  come  to  the  Kaskes  nation 
(which  word  means  "stranders,"  or  "strand- 
dwellers  " ) .  In  reply  I  recounted  what  had  hap- 
pened to  me;  at  which  they  all  wondered.  He 
bade  me  write  out  all  this,  which  I  readily  did, 
because  I  knew  it  by  heart,  as  well  as  I  did  my 
AB  C's. 

After  I  had  delivered  up  my  paper,  it  was  at 
once  translated  into  the  language  of  the  country. 
In  the  afternoon  ten  lads  came  to  me,  greeted  me 
in  the  Dutch  tongue,  which  they  could  speak, 
read  and  write  very  well. 

After  three  days  I  was  sent  from  the  capital 
Kesmes  to  this  city  Taloujiiel  to  teach  the  Dutch 
language  to  young  people  here  as  my  life  work, 
which  I  am  still  doing. 

They  give  me  very  honorable  maintenance,  and 
my  school  is  never  larger  than  six  young  people, 
whom   I   instruct  in  the   Dutch   language   and 

(192)  teach  them  to  understand,  speak,  read  and  write 
it. 


108  Narrative  of  Sjouke  Gahhes 

These  Southlanders  think  that  the  happiness 
of  their  country  and  their  good  and  very 
excellent  government  alone  depend  upon  the 
proper  education  of  the  youth,  and  therefore  no 
rags  of  women  may  be  school  mistresses,  nor 
drunken  tipplers,  nor  ill-mannered  men,  school- 
masters here.  Such  are  despised  as  much  as 
those  that  lack  natural  intelligence,  or  are  idlers 
and  cants  and  not  smooth-tongued. 

They  believe  here  that  all,  or  most  faults  that 
are  peculiar  to  many  people,  are  those  received 
in  their  youth  from  their  tutors  and  teachers, 
and  that  the  same  remain  by  them  through  force 
of  habit.  Therefore  the  schoolmasters  here  must 
be  intelligent,  very  attentive,  provident  and 
courteous.  I  have  subjected  myself  to  their  laws 
and  still  live  in  accordance  therewith  as  honor- 
ably as  I  can.  Therefore  I  have  been  presented 
with  this  red  coat  and  this  red  cap,  which  are 
garments  of  honor  here. 

The  sign  embroidered  on  my  breast  means,  in 
the  language  of  this  country,  El-ho,  that  is  free- 
man. 


DE  HISTORIE  VAN  DEN  EL-HO 


DE  HISTORIE  VAN  DEN  EL-HO 

(125)  IK  was  een  Jonge  van  twaalf  jaaren,  en  kon 

leesen  en  schryven  als  ik  op  Bataviu  voor  Jonge 
in  Kompagnies  dienst  aankwam,  dit  was  in  het 
jaar  1655.  Daar  drie  maanden  geweest  zijnde, 
wierd  my  gelast  om  den  aankomenden  morgen, 
my  met  mijn  kist  te  vervoegen  op  het  Schip  de 
Wakende  Boey,  dat  na  't  Zuidland  zou  zeilen,  om 
de  Schipbreukelingen  van  het  Schip  de  Goude 
Draak,  welk  daar  vergaan  was,  van  daar  te 
haaien,  en  op  Batavia  te  brengen. 

Wy  daar  komende,  vonden  het  Wrak  van  't 
Schip,  schoten  drie  kanonschoten  tot  zein  dat 
wy  daar  gekomen  waren,  maar  niemand  vertoon- 
den hem  op  't  strand ;  wy  niemand  verneemende, 
voeren  met  de  Boot  en  Sloep  na  Land,  om  het 
daar  gebleven  Volk  van  de  Goude  Draak  op  te 
zoeken,  dog  dat  alles  was  vergeefs,  wy  vonden 
geen  leevend  mensch  of  dier,  maar  een  dor  Land 
en  naakte  Strand,  veel  doornen  en  kreupel-bosch. 

Daar  een  dag  vergeefs  gezogt  hebbende,  zeil- 
den wy  den  tweeden  dag  de  kust  eenige  uuren 
langs,  elk  glas  een  kanonschoot  doende,  zetten 
weer  Volk  naa  Land  om  te  zoeken,  maar  vonden 
niemand,  dog  zaagen  eenige  drukkingeu  van 
bloote  voeten  in  't  zand. 


(126) 


112  Be  Historie 


Den  derden  dag  zeilden  wederom  hy  't  Wrak. 
Settend  daar  wat  van  daan  voor  anker,  de  Boot 
wierd  geordineerd  de  Strand  langs  te  ontdekken, 
op  hoope  of  zy  't  Volk  van  de  Goude  Draak 
mogten  vinden ;  de  Boot  was  voor  eenige  daagen 
met  waater,  eeten  en  drinken  voorsien,  deese  ging 
van  Boord  de  Wal  langs ;  van  haar  weedervaaren 
weet  ik  niet,  ook  niet  of  zy  't  Volk  gevonden 
hebben  of  niet. 

Voort  naa  't  afgaan  van  de  Boot,  wierd  de 
Sloep  naa  Land  gesonden,  met  twaalf  Man  om 
weeder  te  gaan  zoeken,  ik  raakten  als  jonge 
meede  in  de  sloep,  begeerig  om  ook  eens  op  't 
Land  te  treeden,  op  hoope  van  eenige  ververs- 
sing  te  vinden,  want  ik  had  al  eenigen  tyd  in  het 
Schip  als  opgesloten  zonder  ververssing  geweest, 
in  zulk  een  geleegendheid  verlangd  elk  naa  land 
en  ververssing. 

Ik  gelijk  een  jongen,  was  blijde  dat  ik  meede 
aan  land  kwam,  ik  dagt  weinig  om  te  zoeken  naa 
(127)  't  Volk  van  de  Goude  Draak,  't  was  my  om  ver- 
verssing te  doen.  Wy  aan  land  treedende, 
gingen  landwaard  in,  na  gissing  wel  drie  uuren 
gaans,  als  wanneer  wy  aan  een  Bosch  kwamen. 
Hier  dagt  ik  niet  anders  als  om  ververssing  of 
eenige  vrugten  te  zoeken.  Ik  als  een  jonge  my 
van  't  Volk  stille  afzonderende,  zonder  eens  te 
denken  als  ik  in  't  Bosch  was  hoe  daar  weder  uit 
te  komen.     Ik  agter  aan  gaande,  verbergde  my 


van  den  El-ho  113 


agter  wat  kreupel-bosch,  en  raakten  dus  bosch- 
waard  in,  en  was  blijde  dat  ons  Volk  my  uit  het 
gesigt  was,  ik  stak  een  pj^p  tabak  aan,  daar  meede 
ging  ik  het  Bosch  in ;  dog  naa  ontrent  een  uur 
zoeken  geen  vrugten  of  ververssing  vindende, 
wilde  ik  weeder  keeren,  en  ons  Volk  of  't  strand 
zoeken,  ik  ging  wel  twee  uuren  om  uit  het  Bosch 
te  komen,  maar  ik  verdwaalden  hoe  langer  hoe 
meer :  ik  riep,  ik  schreiden,  ik  kreet  tot  heesch 
wordens  toe !  ik  was  vol  schrik  en  vrees,  mijne 
benaudheid  was  onuitspreekelijk ;  nu  zag  ik  eerst 
dat  ik  een  jonge  was,  en  jongens  werk  gedaan 
had,  dat  in  my  het  aldersmertelijkste  berouw 
baarde.  Wat  zoude  ik  doen?  ik  was  moede 
geloopen,  heesch  gekreeten,  benaud  van  herten, 
mismoedig  van  gedagten.  Ik  wierp  my  onder 
een  Boom  ter  aarde,  zugtende,  kermende,  en  God 
biddende  dat  hy  my  wilde  helpen ;  den  avond 
(128)  viel,  en  ik  raakten  door  vermoeidheid  in  slaap. 
Ontwaakende,  was  ik  door  koud,  en  de  duister- 
heid baarden  in  my  zoodaanige  schrik  en  vreese, 
dat  my  mijn  hairen  te  berge  reesen,  ik  beefden 
als  een  blad,  en  het  geruisch  der  Boomen  zoo 
wel  als  de  zuisende  wind,  ontstelden  my  elk 
oogenblik,  mijn  beklemd  gemoed  was  doodlijk 
benaud,  jaa  zoodaanig,  dat  niemand  als  die  in 
de  schrikkelijkste  doods  gevaren  zijn  geweest, 
dat  kan  denken,  weeten  of  begrijpen.  Ik  zugten 
inwendig  tot  God  om  liulpe,  tot  dat  den  dag 


114  De  Historie 


(129) 


begon  op  te  komen,  dat  my  vry  wat  verligte ; 
ik  stond  op,  wist  niet  waar  te  gaan,  wandelden 
om  de  wermte  te  krijgen  wat  heen  en  weer,  stak 
om  de  koude  mijn  handen  in  de  sak,  daarin 
voelden  ik  mijn  mes,  tabaks-doos,  vuurslag, 
tonteldoos,  en  een  Bischuit,  dit  verheugden  my 
niet  weinig;  dieper  tastende,  vond  ik  een 
kluwentje  touw  met  cenige  hoeken,  my  van  een 
Matroos  in  bewaring  gegeven,  daar  ik,  zoo  ik  op 
strand  bleef,  meede  visschen  zou ;  dit  gezegde 
was  nu  al  mijn  rijkdom,  mijn  Scheepsplunjen 
waren  niet  veel  waard,  gelijk  elk  Zeeman  weet 
wat  een  Jonge  op  't  Schip  aan  heeft. 

Ik  peurden  weer  te  gang  om  uit  het  Bosch  te 
raaken,  altijd  roepende,  ó  Heere !  helpt  my.  Ik 
wenschten  duisend  maal  dat  ik  een  Berg  mogt 
ontmoeten,  van  waar  ik  de  Zee  ontdekken  kon, 
of  een  Riviere  die  my  tot  aan  de  Zee  zoude 
brengen,  maar  hoe  ik  meerder  zogt,  hoe  ik  al 
meerder  verdwaalde,  niet  eens  om  eeten  of 
drinken  denkende.  Ik  nam  een  besluit  van  altijd 
regt  uit  te  gaan,  waar  my  God  ook  brengen 
wilde ;  dus  doende,  kwam  ik  teegen  den  avond, 
wat  voor  Sonnen  ondergang,  by  een  moerassige 
Poel ;  waater  ziende,  dagt  ik  op  drinken ;  dat 
proevende,  bevond  het  selve  wat  brak  te  zijn. 
Groef  een  weinig  daar  van  daan  met  mijn 
handen  een  kuil,  daar  vers  waater  in  kwam ;  ik 
dronk,  en  wierd  verkwikt ;  het  waater  in  de  poel 


van  den  El-ho  115 


was  drabbig,  bruin,  en  rood-agtig,  als  veen-poel- 
waater,  of  daar  verrotte  blaaden  in  zijn.  Hier 
zat  ik  al  weer  zugtende,  en  schreijende,  mijn 
droevig  weenen  had  geen  einde  !  geduurig  zugten 
ik ;  zeggende,  og  ik  arme  Jonge !  wat  zal  ik  doen  ? 
waar  zal  ik  heen  ?  6  God !  helpt  my ! 

Ik  at  mijn  halve  Beschuit  op,  rookten  een 
halve  pijp  Tabak,  en  dronk  uit  mijn  kuil;  dit 
alles  verkwikten  my  kragtig.  Ik  bedagt  my  wat 
ik  doen  zoude  in  zulk  een  uitterste  nood ; 
Mensschen  hulp  ontbrak  my,  dies  ging  ik  uit  nood 
tot  God;  ik  maakte  mijn  koussen  los,  viel  op  mijn 
(130)  bloote  knien  neder,  en  riep  tot  God  om  hulpe; 
bad  het  Avond-gebed  en  het  Vader  Onse.  Ik 
wierde  zelf  zoo  beweegd  onder  het  bidden,  dat 
ik  neer  viel,  en  wierd  flaauw  en  als  van  mijn 
zelve.  Dit  duurden  tot  het  duister  was;  en  ik 
moede  zynde,  leide  my  needer,  en  raakte  al 
schreijende  in  slaap.  Ik  sliep  den  geheelen  nagt 
door,  en  wierd  wakker  als  de  Son  op  was,  dat 
my  verblijde. 

Nu  begost  ik  op  myn  behoudenis  te  denken; 
ik  zat  bij  mijn  waaterkuil,  en  verheugden  my  in 
't  vers  waater,  en  dagt,  dit  is  nog  beeter  als 
het  stinkend  waater  te  Scheep.  Met  scheen  het 
my  of  ik  aangestoten  wierd,  ik  omsiende,  zag 
niemand,  en  Bosch-waard  in  ziende,  zag  een  zeer 
dikken  hogen  Boom,  die  zeer  kenbaar  om  sijn 
dikte  was ;  opstaande,  ging  daar  naa  toe ;  by  den 


116  De  Historie 


zelven  komende,  gaf  God  my  in,  dat  ik  Boomen 
zou  teikenen,  om  mijn  waater  niet  te  verliesen; 
ik  mijn  mes  van  leer,  en  schilden  hem  zoo  wat 
of;  ik  maakten  met  mijn  mes  een  houten 
beitelt  jen  tot  het  boom  schillen,  om  mijn  mes 
wat  te  sparen.  Ik  maakten  ook  een  klein  houten 
schupje,  en  nam  een  brave  tak  die  ik  voor  aan 
scherp  sneed,  en  agter  aan  een  braven  knobbel 
had,  dit  was  mijn  geweer.  Ik  wierd  hoe  langer 
hoe  geruster,  en  ik  begon  onder  dien  Boom,  daar 
(131)  't  wat  hoog  was,  een  Hutje  van  takken  op  te 
regten ;  onder  mijn  werken  kwam  het  my  weer 
voor  als  of  ik  gestoten  wierd;  omsiende,  zag 
weeder  niemand,  maar  verre  van  my  ook  zulken 
dikken  Boom ;  ik  laatende  de  begonnen  hut  staan, 
stapten  naa  dien  Boom  toe,  welke  opk  rondom 
ontbast  hebbende,  en  doen  weeder  riaa  een  die 
verder  stond,  dit  zoo  vervolgende,  raakten  wel 
een  uir  of  anderhalf  van  den  poel. 

Ik  zogt  al  voort,  en  dat  op  een  linie  regt  uit, 
om  metter  tijd  uit  dit  eensaam  Bosch  te  raaken ; 
in  't  gaan  vond  ik  een  Appel !  5  Heer !  wat  was 
ik  blijde.  Ik  zag  op,  en  was  onder  een  wilden 
Appel-boom;  mijn  kodde-spiets  en  schupje  van 
my  werpende,  klom  ik  met  groote  vreugde  den 
Boom  op,  at  mijn  buikje  vol,  en  plukten  zoo 
veel,  die  ik  onder  den  boom  in  't  gras  smeet, 
dat  ik  afkomende,  mijn  hoed  en  beide  koussen 
vulde,  en  nog  eenige  liet  leggen. 


van  den  El-ho  117 


Ik  van  boom  tot  boom  die  geteikend  had  weder 
te  rug,  en  by  mijn  eersten  dikken  boom  komende, 
die  als  op  een  kleine  hoogte  stond,  groef  ik  een 
kuil,  welke  onder  met  blaaden  beleide,  daar  mijn 
appels  op  ley,  die  weeder  met  blaaden  dekte,  en 
boven  met  sand  oversmeeten  hebbende,  had  ik 
een  modliol. 
(132)  Ik  stak  eenige  takken  in  de  grond,  die  boven 

wat  vlegtende,   en  dagt,  dat  mijn  takken  niet 
dekken,  moet  den  Heemel  dekken. 

Nu  wandelden  ik  naa  mijn  waater,  dan  naa 
mijn  hut,  om  al  wandelende  to  overdenken  wat 
ik  doen  zou ;  mijn  droefheid  en  benaudheid  ver- 
minderde hand  over  hand. 

In  mijn  hut  sittende,  en  een  appel  eetende, 
dagt  ik  lieve  God,  wat  is  des  menschen  leven, 
hoe  swerft  men  van  't  eene  Land  in  't  ander  om 
geld  en  goed,  ik  heb  maar  Waater  en  Appels, 
en  ben  nu  wel  te  vreeden  als  ik  die  maar  krijgen 
kan,  dat  ik  mijn  Appelen  nu  voor  goud  ver- 
ruilen kon,  ik  zou  dat  waarlik  niet  doen. 

Wanneer  den  avond  viel,  bad  ik  God,  en  lei 
my  in  mijn  hut  op  wat  takken  en  blaaden  ter 
neer,  slaapende  veel  geruster  als  te  vooren ;  des 
morgens  ontwaakende,  begon  ik  bedaarder  op 
mijn  behoud  te  denken,  jaa  zoodaanig,  als  of  ik 
in  't  bosch  mijn  leven  zou  moeten  einden,  dat  ik 
te  vooren  door  al  te  grooten  droefheid  en  angst 
niet  doen  kou. 


1]8  De  Historie 


My  dagt  dat  ik  eerst  eens  zou  drinken,  dan 
naa  mijn  appel-boom  gaan,  en  die  daar  nog  onder 
leggende  appelen  bergen;  daar  naa  de  boomen 
zoo  als  ik  begonnen  had  al  voort  te  teekenen  of 
(133)  t'ontbasten;  en  dat  op  een  regte  lijn,  om  zoo 
eindelijk  uit  het  bosch  te  geraaken,  en  agt  op  alle 
Fruit-boomen  te  nemen ;  zoo  gedagt,  zoo  gedaan. 

Ik  peurden  na  myn  appel-boom,  met  myn 
kodde-spies  gewaapend;  daar  komende,  vulden 
ik  mijn  sakken  met  die  daar  onder  geleegen  ap- 
pelen; en  al  regt  uit  voortgaande,  ontschilde  ik 
de  boomen  op  zoodaanigen  verheid,  dat  ik  die 
makkelijk  kon  sien,  nu  en  dan  eenige  vrugt- 
boomen  vindende,  die  bysonder  teekende,  tot  ik 
naa  eenigen  tijd  zoo  ver  kwam,  dat  een  klein 
soet  Riviertje  vond,  waar  ontrent  zig  ook 
verscheiden  en  meer  Vrugt-boomen  vertoonden, 
welke  ik  niet  en  kende;  maar  at  daar  van  in 
Godsnaam  ;  zy  bekwamen  my  wel. 

Nu  vergat  ik  mijn  Mod-hol,  Poel  en  Appel- 
boom; ik  volgden  de  Rivier,  welke  my  naa 
eenigen  tijd  uit  het  Bosch  geleide,  tot  aan  een 
Berg,  aan  wiens  voet  een  groote  kom  van  brak 
Waater  was,  daar  hem  deese  Rivier  in  ontlaste, 
en  die  kom  ontlaste  haar  weeder  door  een  smalle 
sleuf  in  Zee,  zoo  als  ik  daar  naa  bevond. 

Ik  rusten  by  deese  kom,  en  sag  een  Visch 
springen,  kreeg  een  hoek  met  mijn  tou,  bragt 
die  met  mijn  kodde-spies  te  waater,  aan  de  hoek 


van  den  El-ho  119 


een  stukje  appel  doende,  en  ving  voort  een  goede 

(134)  Baars,  dien  ik  schoon  maakte,  en  van  desself s 
ingewand  weeder  aanslaande,  ving  ik  nog  vijf 
a  ses  schone  Baarsen,  die  schoon  maakende,  bried 
ik  die  aan  houte  speeten,  zy  smaakten  lekker  en 
goed. 

Mijn  Tondel  was  weinig,  dies  tornden  ik  een 
mouw  uit  mijn  hembd,  daar  de  brand  in 
steekende,  doofden  dat  tusschen  mijn  beide 
Schoenen  uit ;  nu  was  mijn  Tondel-doos  weer  vol, 
en  ik  van  alles  klaar.  Wel  gegeten  en  gedronken 
hebbende,  klom  ik  den  Berg  op,  van  wiens  top  ik 
de  Zee  kon  zien,  naar  gissing  een  groot  uur  gaans 
ver;  dien  Berg  was  maar  een  hogen  heuvel,  als 
alleen  in  het  vlakke  land  staande. 

Ik  had  wel  gegeeten,  als  gezegt  heb,  en  wan- 
delden naa  de  Zee,  op  hoope  of  ons  Schip  of  Volk 
daar  nog  was ;  maar  vond  niemand.  De  Strand 
dus  langs  wandelende,  zag  ik  geduurig  om,  dat 
den  Berg  niet  uit  mijn  gesigt  raakte ;  ik  al  voort- 
gaande, dagt  my  dat  ik  een  Mast  zag  agter  een 
Duin,  en  met  sijn  top  daar  boven  over  uitsteek- 
ende ;  my  dagt  ook  dat  ik  voetstappen  zag,  doch 
deeze  verdweenen  weeder. 

Op  de  Duin  komende,  zag  ik  een  opgeregte 
Staak,  daar  een  Tinnen  plaat  aan  was  gespijkerd, 
daar  de  naam  van  de  Schipper  en  het  Schip  op 

(135)  stond,  daar  ik  meede  gekomen  was.  Dit  ont- 
stelden my  weeder  op  't  nieuw,  en  egter  was  my 


120  De  Historie 


deese  staak  of  paal  en  bord,  als  half  geselschap- 
agtig;  ik  was  een  Jongen,  en  kusten  de  Staak 
verscheiden  maal  met  betraande  oogen. 

Ik  setten  my  neder  met  de  rug  tegen  den  paal, 
het  hoofd  in  de  hand,  en  zag  bedroefd  te  Zee- 
waard  in.  Ik  rees  weder  op,  heen  en  weder 
voorby  die  staak  wandelende,  en  dikwils  het  bord 
leesende,  besloot  ik  de  Paal  met  mijn  handen  los 
te  graven,  alzoo  die  in  duin-sand  stond,  om  dat 
ik  de  spijkers  daar  uit  dagt  te  krijgen ;  dit  den- 
kende, trad  agter  de  staak  om  daar  naa  te  sien, 
en  zoo  als  ik  na  de  spijkers  en  de  paal  van 
agteren  zag,  wierd  ik  een  Briefje  en  een  tinnen 
plaatje  daarboven  gewaar,  welke  daar  gespijkerd 
waaren ;  vindende  daar  op,  Jongen,  graaft  agter 
deese  Staak ;  dit  ontstelden  my  nog  meer,  als 
eerst  de  staak  had  gedaan;  een  koude  grilling 
reed  mij  door  de  leeden,  mijn  hairen  reesen  my 
te  berg,  ik  wierd  benaud,  en  vreesden  zeer,  ik 
beefden,  en  wist  niet  waarom.  Ik  zetten  my  weer 
needer  tegen  den  paal,  tot  dat  ik  bedaarde.  Doen 
nam  ik  mijn  kodde-spiets,  en  begon  te  peilen  in 
't  zand,  en  vond  iets  hards,  omtrent  een  vadem 
agter  de  staak;  ik  trok  met  mijn  handen  aan  't 
(136)  krabben,  tot  ik  op  een  plank  kwam,  en  al  voort 
arbeidende,  bevond  het  mijn  Scheeps-kistje  te 
zijn.  Ik  riep,  ó  goede  God  !  ik  danke  u,  o  Heere ! 
helpt  my  dog  voortaan;  ik  huilden  van  blijd- 
schap, en  al  schreijende  arbeiden  ik  mijn  Kistjen 


van  den  El-ho  121 


daar  uit.  Op  het  deksel  was  een  Presenninge 
gclegt,  en  om  de  Sleutel  die  in  't  slot  stak,  was 
doek  omgewonden,  om  dat  het  zand  het  slot  niet 
beschaadigen  zouw. 

Ik  sloot  met  groote  vreugde  mijn  kistje  op,  en 
vond  het  volgende  op  een  Brief:  Jongen,  alzoo 
wy  naa  neegen  daagen  zoehens  en  ivagtens,  nog 
Volk  van  de  GOUDE  DRAAK,  nog  U  heUen 
konnen  vinden,  is  goed  gevonden  te  vertrekken, 
(alzoo  't  op  deese  Kust  kwaad  leggen  is)  en  ii 
Kistjen  en  goed  hier  te  hegraaven,  ten  einde, 
indien  gy  hier  koomt,  u  daar  van  te  dienen. 
Begt  boven  op  dit  Dnintjen,  is  een  kleyn  paalt  jen 
ingeslaagen,  daar  07ider  zijn  nog  eenige  nood- 
zakelijkheden voor  u  begraven.     Vaart  wel. 

Ik  viel  op  mijn  knien,  dankten  God  voor  sijn 
goedheid,  en  bad  voor  de  behouden  Reis  van  mijn 
Schipper  en  Schip.  Opstaande,  stopten  ik  een 
volle  Pijp,  dat  'er  nu  op  staan  kon,  ik  mijn  Kist 
doorsiende,  vond  daar  in  dit  volgende  goed. 

3  Hcmhden,  2  Linnen  Hembdrokken,  2  Linnen 
Onderbroeken,  4  Dassen,  2  Paar  Koussen,  1  Paar 
^^^"^  Schoenen,  1  Laakense  Broek  en  Wambais, 
zijnde  dit  mijn  landganger,  1  Engelsche  Muts, 
omtrent  1  Pond  Tabak,  elf  Pijpen,  1  Tinnen 
Kopje,  2  Tinnen  Leepels,  3  Messen ,  8  d  10 
Veeters,  wat  Naalden  en  Gaaren,  2  Kammen,  1 
Stoops  Boutelje  met  wat  Arak,  12  Vel  Papier, 
wat  Pennen  en  Inkt,  1  Psalmboek. 


122  Be  Historie 


Ik  dronk  een  soopje  op  mijn  pijpje  als  een 
Heer.  Nu  wierd  ik  weer  gerust  en  vrolijk.  Ik 
besloot  den  aankomenden  nagt  bij  deese  staak  te 
campeereen,  om  mijn  goed  te  bewaaren,  daar 
nog  Mensch  nog  Dier  was  die  my  beroven  kon; 
Jongens  werk !  Ik  mij  beraadende,  ging  op  de 
duin,  en  zag  het  paaltje,  peilden  daar  met  mijn 
spiets,  op  twee  voet  diep  was  het  hard,  ik  weer 
aan  't  krabben,  dog  was  nauw  een  voet  in  de 
aarde,  of  vond  een  Schop,  bloed  wat  was  ik 
blijde !  ik  aan  't  graaven,  dat  beeter  spoet  maakte 
als  't  krabben  met  mijn  handen.  Ik  ontdekten 
eerlang  een  Plank,  en  daar  onder  mijn  Kooy, 
deese  was  nog  met  een  brave  Presenninge  om- 
wonden ;  ik  dit  alles  boven  op  hebbende,  vond  in 
't  openen  den  volgenden  Brief. 

Jongen,  nadien  gy  tnoogelijk  u  leeven  hier  zult 
eindigen,  m  verstaan  u  dit  goed  te  vereeren.  De 
Meester  geeft  u  sijn  Brand-glas,  om  by  gebrek 
van  Tontel  vuir  te  maaken,  neevens  een  stuk 
Swaavel  tot  Swaav el-stokken.    Vaart  wel. 

Ik  was  yverig  alles  door  te  zien,  en  vond  dit 
volgende  goed;  1  Plank,  1  Brave  Presenning, 
mijn  Hangmat,  Bultzak,  Kombaars,  Hoofdkus- 
sen, 1  Sloop,  1  Bijl,  1  Kort-roer,  2  Kardoesen 
Kruit,  100  Kogels,  1  stuk  Platlood,  1  Scheeps- 
houwer  met  zijn  riem,  1  vaatje  Brandewijn,  2 
Stoops  Botteljes  Spaanse  Wijn,  100  Beschuyt&ti, 
1    Kooperen    Pannetje    van    een    Mingelen,    1 


van  den  El-ho  123 


(139) 


Keulsche  Pot  met  Tabak,  nog  een  Prik,  weegende 
wel  2  a  3  pond,  1  Blase  met  Kruit,  nog  1  Kardoes 
met  Kogels,  2  Lijnen  Vis-want,  1  Doosje  met 
Hoekken,  12  Vuirsteenen,  1  bosje  Swaavelstok,  1 
bos  Pennen,  1  Pennemesje,  2  Boek  Papier,  1 
Looden  Inktpot,  met  1  kawietje  Inkt,  het  Nieuwe 
Testament,  de  Reise  van  W.  Y.  Bontekoe,  en  die 
van  P.  van  den  Broeke,  nog  een  rond  Spiegeltje 
in  een  blikken  doosje. 

Nu  veranderden  ik  van  voorneemen  om  by  de 
Staak  te  blijven.  De  Weg  van  de  Berg  of  heuvel 
tot  hier  toe,  had  ik  als  een  winkelhaak  gegaan, 
dat  nu  regt  toe  regt  aan  veel  naader  was;  dies 
dagt  ik  dus  mijn  weg  te  neemen. 

Ik  maakten  mijn  Kist  leedig,  die  weer  vullende 
met  de  Beschuit,  Bussekruit,  Tabak,  Papier, 
Boeken  &c.  Ik  trok  drie  Hemden  aan,  met  nog 
een  onderkleed,  en  hong  de  Houwer  op  de  zijd, 
de  Bijl  en  Schop  op  de  nek,  en  2  Boutteljes  met 
een  tou  om  den  hals ;  dus  ging  ik  naa  mijn  Rivier 
toe;  en  alzoo  het  warm  was,  sweeten  ik  niet 
weinig,  dat  ik  met  een  frissen  dronk  weer 
herstelde.  Terwijl  als  ik  rusten,  dagt  ik  wat  ik 
doen  zou;  ik  groef  een  groot  gat  op  een  hoogte, 
dat  bestrooiden  ik  onder  in  met  blaaden,  daar 
takken  over  heen  ley,  daar  op  bergden  ik  myn 
goed,  dit  dekten  ik  met  takken  en  zooden ;  des 
agtermiddags  haalden  ik  mijn  kooije,  met  het 


124  De  Historie 


roer,    een    blaase    met    busse-kruit,    kogels    en 
byschuit  [sic]  in  mijn  zak. 

By  de  Rivier  komende,  sloeg  op  de  hoogte  by 
mijn  Kelder  vier  paaltjes  in  de  grond,  daar  mijn 
hangmat  aan  vast  maakten.  Ik  deed  nog  een 
togt,  haalden  de  pressennige,  bonttelje  met  arak, 
vis-wand,  en  hoekken,  met  wat  kogels;  by  mijn 
kooy  koomende,  sliep  ik  gerust,  tot  den  dag  aan 
kwam ;  deesen  dag  keeeg  [kreeg]  ik  al  mijn  goed 
by  de  rivier ;  nu  was  ik  een  rijk  man !  Ik  kreeg 
pen,  papier,  en  inkt,  en  schreef  dit  voorgaande 
op.  Ik  sprak  een  Gebedt,  zong  een  Psalm  zoo 
goed  als  ik  kon. 

Nu  moest  ik  een  goede  plaats  voor  mijn  hut 
zoeken ;  rondom  ziende,  zag  niet  verre  van  my 
(140)  een  braven  hogen  en  groenen  heuvel,  digt  aan 
de  rivier;  ik  ging  derwaarts,  die  besiende,  be- 
haagden my  wel.  Mijn  Bijl  en  Schop  gehaald 
hebbende,  kapten  ik  zoo  veele  groote  en  kleine 
takken,  als  ruim  noodig  had ;  die  in  de  grond 
graavende  en  steekende,  boven  en  rondom  door 
een  vlegtende,  zoo  digt  als  mogelijk  was,  en 
maakten  in  korten  tijd  een  digte  hut.  Die  dus 
verre  voltooid  hebbende,  haalden  ik  mijn  Wand, 
dat  ik  in  de  zoute  kom  geset  had,  op,  waar  aan 
verscheiden  Baarsen  waaren ;  hier  van  kookten 
ik  in  mijn  Pannetje.  Wel  gegeeten,  en  een  koelen 
dronk  genomen  hebbende,  haalden  ik  mijn  hang- 


van  den  El-ha  125 


mat  in  mijn  hut,  die  wel  ophangende,  bragt  ik 
daar  mijn  kooy  in,  met  mijn  meeste  goed. 

Nu  wilde  ik  de  Kom  eens  aan  deese  zijde  om- 
wandelen,  en  zien  wat  daar  te  doen  was.  Daar 
de  rivier  in  de  kom  valt  is  't  waater  zeer  rood, 
als  ook  de  strand  daar  ik  groef,  was  het  als  leem, 
kleeverig  en  glad ;  ik  smeet  een  schop  vol  wat  ver 
op  't  land,  om  te  zien  wat  het  was,  een  quartier- 
uur  voortgaande,  vond  een  roode  klippige  oever, 
met  veele  kuilen ;  dit  duurden  wel  een  groot 
quartier,  als  ik  weerom  wandelde,  om  de  roode 
leem  te  ondersoeken,  die  wat  dun  uitbreidende, 
ging  naa  mijn  hut ;  ook  haalden  ik  wat  vrugten. 
(141)  My  schoot  in,  dat  indien  de  Leem  goed  was,  ik 
een  schoone  Hut  zou  konnen  bouwen.  Naa  de 
leem  gaande,  bevond  ik  dat  die  droog,  herd  en 
sterk  waar,  daar  over  ik  my  zeer  verblijde. 

By  mjai  hut  komende,  practiseerden  onder  een 
pijp  tabak  wat  my  te  doen  stond.  Ik  hieu  een 
party  dikke  en  steevige  Takken,  die  van  alle  zijd- 
takken  gekort  hebbende,  groef  die  vry  diep  en 
digt  by  malkander  in  de  grond,  als  een  ronde 
kring;  zijnde  dit  rond  agtien  van  mijn  voeten 
wijt,  dit  begon  ik  van  onder  op  te  vlegten,  als 
een  Boeren-tuin,  en  alzoo  ik  daar  aan  byna 
geduurig  arbeide,  had  ik  dit  in  weinig  daagen 
zoo  hoog,  als  van  de  grond  maaken  kon.  Niet 
hooger  konnende  koomen,  moest  ik  een  ladder 
maaken,    waar    toe    twee    brave    regte    takken 


126  De  Historie 


bereide,  elk  lang  negen  van  mijne  voeten.  Maar 
alzoo  geen  boor  nog  beitel  had,  moest  ik  met  mijn 
mes  de  gaten  maaken,  't  welk  my  zoo  hard  viel, 
dat  blaren  in  mijn  handen  kreeg,  mijn  arbeid 
moest  staaken,  en  ligter  werk  doen,  of  stilzitten. 
De  deur  of  ingang  van  mijn  Hut,  had  ik  vijf 
van  mijn  voeten  hoog,  en  derdehalf  breed 
gemaakt ;  hier  toe  wilde  ik  een  deur  vlegten,  daar 
meede  besig  zijnde,  schoot  my  in,  dat  ik  in  't 
(142)  Vaderland  wel  vierkante  Vogelkooitjes  van 
willige  Teenen  gemaakt  had.  Ik  liet  de  deur 
staan,  en  begon  te  arbeiden  aan  een  Boodem  van 
anderhalf  voet  vierkant ;  deese  aan  de  zijd  ook 
anderhalf  voet  optuinende,  had  ik  een  mand,  en 
die  omkeerende,  een  stoel,  kostelijk  huis-raad! 
Ik  hier  meede  naa  de  leem-strand,  smeerde  mijn 
mand  van  buiten  met  de  leem,  die  in  de  Son 
droogende,  besprengden  die  met  een  groene  tak 
met  waater,  dan  de  reeten  met  de  hand  digt 
strijkende,  wierd  mijn  mande  zoo  digt  en  hard, 
als  of  sy  met  roode  steen  omtrokken  was,  dat  my 
niet  weinig  verblijden ;  nu  kon  ik  kisten  voor 
mijn  goed  maaken,  en  wat  ik  van  nooden  had. 

Dit  deed  my  denken,  dat  ik  terstond  weer 
begon  te  vlegten  nog  twee  zoodaanige  korven; 
deese  veerdig  hebbende,  hakten  ik  een  steevig 
hout,  een  vadem  lang,  aan  elk  eind  een  touw, 
bond  de  manden  daar  aan,  dit  had  ik  als  een 
melk-juk ;  hier  haalden  ik  nu  leem  meede  naa  de 


van  den  El-ho  127 


hut.  In  de  hut  eenigc  kijkgaateu  gesneeden 
hebbende,  tijden  ik  aan  't  smeeren,  sprengen  en 
strijken,  en  kreeg  mijn  hut  in  drie  daagen  vijf 
voeten  hoog,  besmeerd,  glad  en  droog,  en  was 
zoo  vast  en  hard  als  of  sy  van  roode  steen 
gebakken  was. 

Mijn  handen  weeder  herstelt  zijnde,  vatten 
(143)  ik  mijn  leer  weeder  aan,  windende  linnen  om 
mijn  mes,  en  wat  langsaam  werkende,  kreeg  daar 
vijf  sporten  of  treeden  in ;  door  behulp  van  deese, 
tuinden  ik  mijn  hut  boven  toe,  laatende  daar 
boven  in  een  gat  een  voet  groot,  zoo  voor  lugt 
als  rook,  dat  ik  met  een  deksel  kon  sluiten  en 
oopenen.  Mijn  dak  bestreeken  en  droog  gewor- 
den zijnde,  meenden  ik  een  Kasteel  te  bezitten. 
Voorts  maakten  ik  verseheiden  manden,  die  als 
mijn  hut  met  roode  leem  bekleedende,  zoo  tot 
berging  van  mijn  goed,  als  om  winter  provisie 
in  te  doen. 

Ook  bouwden  ik  nog  een  schoone  vierkante  hut 
by  den  mijnen  aan,  die  vijftien  voeten  elke  zijde 
vierkant  was ;  een  schoon  en  sterk  gebouw,  heb- 
bende boven  een  gat  als  mijn  ander,  en  beneeden 
kijkgaaten.  Nu  was  ik  al  Heer  van  twee  Kas- 
teelen,  daags  sehrecf  ik  mijn  doen  aan,  en  door 
't  dikwijls  leesen,  kon  ik  dat  al  van  buiten. 

Op  een  tijd  wat  vrugten  willende  haaien,  zag 
een  braven  heuvel  als  met  handen  gemaakt,  deese 
was  rondom  beset  boom  aan  boom  in  de  ronte, 


128  De  Historie 


en  een  boom  in  't  midden ;  ik  kon  deese  van  mijn 
hut  zien,  maar  had  daar  nooit  aan  gedagt,  dit 
was  vier  honderd  treeden  van  mijn  huis.  Ik  my 
bedenkende,  haalden  mijn  bijl,  en  kapten  drie 
(144)  boomen  twee  voeten  boven  de  grond  af,  daar 
binnen  treedende,  kon  niet  anders  zien  of  dit  was 
daar  zoo  gepoot;  mijn  leer  haaiende,  kapten  ik 
de  boomen  in  't  rond  af,  laatende  de  stammen 
tien  voeten  hoog,  den  middelsten  stam  liet  ik 
twintig  voeten  lang,  hem  berovende  van  alle 
sijne  takken,  en  haar  alle  aan  de  grond  ont- 
bastende. 

Deese  Boomen  waaren  in  de  rondte  agtien  en 
twintig  duimen  dik ;  hier  dagt  ik  een  Fortres  te 
bouwen !  ging  daar  daags  voor  tijdverdrijf  aan 
tuinen,  met  dikke  takken,  die  ik  met  een  staak 
op  een  sloeg.  Dit  Kasteel  wierd  naa  eenigen 
tijd  volmaakt  op  het  dak  naa,  dat  'er  ook  naa 
verloop  van  tijd  mede  op  kwam;  mijn  deur  was 
twee  en  een  half  voet  vierkant,  twee  voeten  van 
de  grond;  hier  haalde  ik  mijn  vaatjen  Brande- 
wijn, en  een  blaas  vol  Buskruit,  mijn  halve 
Beschuiten,  wat  Kogels  &  e.  Op  't  laast  ging  ik 
daar  met  mijn  Kooy  en  meeste  goed  woonen, 
begraavende  het  overige  in  mijn  andere  Huisen, 
daar  't  wel  bewaard  was. 

Ik  had  ook  al  een  geheele  steene  mand  vol  zout 
gewonnen  in  de  kuilen  van  de  roode  rots,  aan 
het  einde  van  de  zoute  kom.    Ook  had  ik  al  een 


van  den  El-ho  129 


brave  party  gedroogde  Visch  gemaakt.  Ik  had 
ook  veele  korven,  van  buiten  en  binnen  met  roode 
(145)  leem  bekleed,  en  deksels  daar  op,  gevlogten 
Taafels,  Stoelen,  en  Bedsteede;  mijn  leeven  was 
nu  geheel  gerust. 

Ik  wist  van  geen  daagen,  weeken,  maanden 
nog  jaaren.  Ook  wist  ik  niet  hoe  lang  ik  daar 
geweest  had, 

Naa  een  langen  tijd,  als  ik  gerust  sliep  in  't 
midden  van  een  duistere  nagt,  hoorden  ik  een 
vreeslijk  gebrul,  verwerd  door  malkander,  dat 
my  wakker  maakte ;  dog  ik  bleef  gerust,  alzoo 
my  niemand,  nog  Mensch,  nog  Dier,  in  mijn 
Fortres  kon  beschadigen.  Egter  maakten  ik 
vuur,  dat  ras  gedaan  was,  alzoo  altijd  een  goed 
deel  zeer  drooge  takken,  en  ook  gekloofd  grof 
hout  had ;  mijn  deur  was  geslooten,  en  mijn 
kijkgaaten  toegestopt. 

Mijn  Geweer  klaar  gemaakt  hebbende,  leide 
wat  hout  aan,  en  ging  weer  te  kooy.  Den  dag 
komende,  was  ik  nieusgierig  te  weeten  wat  'er 
was ;  mijn  kijkgaaten  openende,  zag  ik  seeven 
swarte  Stieren,  die  scheeuen  als  gevogten  te  heb- 
ben, alzoo  'er  twee  a  drie  onder  waaren  die 
bloeden.  Eene  na  mijn  Kasteel  komende,  kwam 
op  twaalf  of  veertien  treeden  bj'  mj-,  stil  staande, 
en  ziende  naa  mijn  fort;  ik  leide  mijn  roer  uit 
een  kijkgat,  en  schoot  hem  regt  in  sijn  sterre, 
dat  hy  needer  plofte,  en  terstond  weer  laadeude, 


130  De  Historie 


(146)  maakten  my  gereed  of  'er  meer  kwamen,  maar 
de  andere  vertrokken  weer  Bosehwaard  in.  Dit 
was  het  eerste  Wild  dat  ik  gezien  had. 

Ik  naa  hem  toe,  met  schop,  houwer,  en  mes; 
hy  lag  op  zy;  ik  konde  hem  niet  op  syn  rug 
krijgen,  dog  groef  een  greb  agter  hem  daar  hy 
ontrent  op  sijn  rug  kwam  in  te  glijen.  Ik  hieuw 
met  de  Bijl  de  strot  af,  daar  hy  dapper  uit 
bloede,  hem  optornende  was  hy  zeer  vet;  en 
haalden  uit  myn  ander  huis  een  teenen  taafel, 
daar  het  vet  op  leide,  dat  zeer  veel,  en  meer  dan 
honderd  pond  was;  ik  teeg  strak  aan  't  smelten 
met  mijn  kooperen  pan,  en  kreeg  twee  brave 
geleemde  manden  vol  vet,  als  ook  drie  manden 
vol  van  het  beste  Vlees,  dat  ik  zouten ;  de  blaas 
die  blies  ik  op,  de  dermen  reinigden  ik  aan  de 
kom,  eenige  droogden  ik,  andere  vulden  ik  met 
gezouten  vlees  en  vet,  daar  van  eenige  in  de  rook, 
en  andere  in  de  lugt  droogende;  sijn  hoorens 
sloeg  ik  af,  die  drogende  en  schrapende,  waren 
goede  beekers. 

Ik  kookten  en  braaden  van  hem,  tot  hy  begon 
te  ruiken,  doen  maakten  ik  een  diepe  groote  kuil, 
laatende  hem  daarin  glijden,  hem  wat  met  hef- 
boomen  helpende,  en  met  aarde  bedekkende,  en 

(147)  dankte  God  voor  syn  goedheid.  Veelmalen  op 
eiken  dag,  zag  ik  met  vreugde  naa  myn  kost. 
Myn  Brandewijn  nog  Wijn  had  ik  niet  aange- 
roerd, ik  bewaarden  die  voor  een  zieken  dag. 


van  den  El-ho  131 


egter  kreeg  ik  lust,  en  most  eens  proeven,  nam 
op  een  morgen  wat  Brandewijn ;  des  middags 
wat  Vlees  eetende,  nam  mijn  half  tinnen  kopje 
vol  Spaansclie  Wijn  daartoe ;  my  dagt  of  ik  met 
Goden  ter  Bruiloft  ging!  daar  meede  was  het 
tap  toe,  voor  een  langen  tijd. 

Nu  was  mijn  daagelijks  werk,  Zout  maaken, 
Visschen  vangen,  die  kooken,  braaden,  en  droe- 
gen; Kisten  en  Manden  te  maaken  van  veel 
'erley  groote  en  fatsoen,  die  van  binnen  en  buiten 
met  leem  digt  te  strijken,  en  dan  te  droogen, 
hout  te  hakken  en  te  droogen,  waar  van  altijd 
een  hut  vol  in  voorraad  had,  nevens  nog  een 
groote  mijt  of  staapel;  ook  had  ik  een  brave 
mand  vol  gedroogd  schraapsel  van  hout,  dat 
vliegens  met  een  brand-glas  vuur  vatte. 

Dit  was  nu  alles  wel,  ik  leefden  dus  vrolijk 
en  gerust  in  mijn  eensaamheid.  Had  ook  een 
goede  hut  geboud  aan  de  kom  op  de  leem-strand, 
waar  in  zijnde,  kon  visschen,  slaapen  en  kooken ; 
dit  was  een  plaisirig  ding.  Ik  had  ook  een  hut 
geboud  op  den  heuvel  of  berg,  maar  die  beleem- 
^^*^^  den  ik  niet  om  de  groote  moeite ;  dog  ik  maakten 
in  mijn  fortres  een  leemen  vloer,  welke  glad 
en  suiver  opdroogde,  dat  braaf  was,  maar  te 
koud  voor  mijn  bloote  voeten;  ik  was  bloots 
voets,  om  mijn  schoenen  en  koussen  te  spaaren, 
en  was  bynaa  naakt,  om  mijn  goed  te  bewaaren, 
mijn  hembden  en  kleeren  wierden  oud,  en  my 


132  De  Historie 


ook  te  klein,  als  ik  een  onderkleed  aan  trok,  liet 
ik  mijn  hembd  uit,  niemand  kon  sijn  goed  meer- 
der spaaren  en  bewaaren  dan  ik ;  egter  moest  ik 
eerst  van  mijn  hangmat,  doen  van  mijn  bultzak 
my  kleeden,  en  sliep  op  drooge  blaaden  in  een 
gevlogten  bedsteede,  dat  heil  goed  was. 

De  kom  verschafte  my  Viseh  na  begeeren, 
gedroogde  Visch  was  mijn  Brood,  die  at  ik  tot 
het  gezooden  of  gebraaden,  en  bekwam  my  zeer 
wel;  nu  en  dan  schoot  ik  een  wilden  Stier;  ik 
houden  hutten  in  overvloed  uit  tijdverdrijf,  en 
had  nu  al  dertien,  nevens  een  gallery  aan  de  kom. 
Mijn  Bard  begon  uit  te  botten,  een  vast  teeken 
dat  ik  hier  al  lang  gewoond  had;  dog  ik  was 
altijd  vrolijk  en  gezond. 

Eens  op  een  tijd  willende  zien  waar  de  Rivier 
van  daan  kwam,  nam  mijn  roer  en  houwer 
meede,  naa  een  uur  gaans  naa  gissing,  zag  als 
een  heel  moeras  bysijden  de  rivier  vol  Biesen 
^^*^)  staan,  en  veele  biesen  langs  de  kant ;  dit  kwam 
my  wel,  een  goede  rest  biesen  gesneeden  heb- 
bende, spreiden  die  van  een  om  te  droogen,  sneed 
voorts  een  bos,  nam  die  meede  om  lamp-pit  te 
maaken,  alzoo  veel  Vet  in  voorraad  had,  want 
nu  en  dan  schoot  ik  een  wilde  Stier. 

Lamp-pit  hebbende,  maakten  ik  een  looden 
lamp,  als  Matroos  te  Scheep  doet ;  uu  branden  ik 
des  nagts  ligt,  dat  my  groote  vreugd  was.  Naa 
eenige  daagen  haalden  ik  verscheiden  dragten 


van  den  El-ho  133 


drooge  Biesen,  weer  andere  snijdende  en  te 
droogen  leggende,  versaamelde  alzoo  een  geheele 
hut  vol ;  hier  maakten  ik  matten  van,  om  op  mijn 
blaaden  te  leggen,  dat  uit  de  kunst  was;  en 
maakten  ook  deekens  om  over  te  dekken  zoo  veel 
begeerde ;  eindelijk,  ik  kleeden  my  in  biesen,  wat 
kan  de  armoed  niet  versinnen !  En  nu  deed  ik 
bynaa  niet  als  matten  te  maaken  van  biesen,  zoo 
grooten  als  kleinen  van  alderhande  fatsoen. 

Dus  leefden  ik  een  geruimen  tijd  wel  te  vree- 
den. De  vloer  van  mijn  fortres  had  ik  nu  met 
biesen  matten  beleid;  ik  had  ook  wel  agt  a  tien 
Stieren-vellen  gedroogd,  zoo  groot  als  die  konde 
afvillen,  deese  waaren  goed  tot  schoenen,  kous- 
sen,  &c. 

Nu  was  ik  geheel  bekend  in  't  Bosch,  en  wist 
Sonnen  op-en  needergang  wel  waar  te  neemen; 
(150)       aan  Sonnen  opgang  was  de  Zee,  teegen  over  de 
Rivier  was  de  Son  middaags,  aan  Sonnen  onder- 
gang was  het  Bosch  en  Land. 

Eens  op  een  tijd  begon  het  uitter  Zee  helder 
op  te  blaasen,  dat  hand  over  hand  toenam,  met 
donder  en  blixem,  dat  het  bosch  scheen  om  te 
waaijen,  het  stormden  zoo  vervaarlijk,  met 
reegen  en  felle  donderslaagen,  dat  ik,  alhoewel  in 
mijn  Kasteel  zijnde,  geheel  benaud  wierd,  en 
van  schrik  my  niet  wist  te  bergen;  jaa  Bohmen 
wierden  uitgerukt,  de  Wind  gaf  zomtijts  slaagen 
of  het  donderslaagen  waaren;  dit  duurden  wel 


134  De  Historie 


(151) 


twee  claageii  en  nagteu,  als  wanneer  het  bedaar- 
den. 

Ik  zag  de  Lugt  nog  sterk  trekken,  ging  op  den 
Berg  in  mijn  uitkijk,  de  Zee  schoot  nog  zeer  hol ; 
en  weer  afkomende,  ging  wat  Visch  vangen, 
onder  het  visschen  begon  de  wind  weer  hand  over 
hand  aan  te  haaien. 

Met  een  mande  met  Visch  naa  mijn  fortres 
gaande,  begon  het  als  vooren  hoe  langer  hoe 
herder  te  stormen.  Het  was  nu  volle  Maan,  de 
Wolken  scheenen  over  de  Maan  te  vliegen ;  ik  zat 
in  ly  van  mijn  Kasteel,  alzoo  het  droog  weer  was. 
De  Maan  wierde  al  langsaam  duister,  even  als 
een  Eclips,  dat  my  verschrikte  en  in  mijn  huis 
deed  gaan;  mijn  lamp  brande,  en  ik  ging,  naa 
dat  wat  vuur  aangelegt  had,  te  kooy,  dog  kon 
niet  slaapen,  maar  was  vol  schrik  en  vreese. 

Dag  wordende,  zag  het  waater  in  Zee  zeer 
verbolgen  en  hoog,  de  wind  bedaarden;  ik  ging 
weer  naa  den  Berg,  om  de  ongestuime  Zee  eens 
te  besien,  maar  vond  mijn  Hut  niet,  deese  was 
op  de  grond  afgebrooken,  en  al  mijn  tuinen  en 
vlegtingen  waaren  weg,  die  ook  nooid  weer 
gesien  heb,  dat  my  daar  naa  een  ander  deed 
bouwen. 

Ik  Visten  weeder,  en  kookten  die  by  de  kom; 
wel  gegeeten  hebbende,  wilde  ik  na  de  stukken 
van  mijn  Hut  den  Uitkijk  op  den  Berg  zoeken ; 
boven  komende,  zag  eenige  swarte  dingen  in  Zee, 


van  den  El-ïio  135 


dog  kon  die  niet  bekennen.  Ik  had  een  halve 
ontsteltenis  van  den  vorigen  Storm  gehad,  en 
voelde  my  niet  wel,  nam  wat  Brandewijn  tot 
mijn  verkwikking,  welke  uit  mijn  Fortres  haalde, 
daar  die  ook  dronk,  dat  my  kragtig  sterkten. 
Doen  ging  ik  naa  't  strand;  de  wind  was  nog 
sterk  uit  Zee,  en  maakten  uitneemend  hoog 
waater. 

Ik  zag  een  Sloep  regt  naa  strand  drijven, 
haalden  strak  mijn  Vis-touw,  en  trok  mijn  biesen 
rok  uit,  doen  nam  ik  hem  waar;  hier  was  een 
vlakke  strand,  en  by  gevolg  geen  branding. 
^^^^^  Ik  kreeg  de  Sloep  vat,  en  sleepten  die  al  zagjes  in 
de  sleuf  of  uitgang  van  de  kom,  wel  een  half 
quartier  binnenwaarts ;  de  Sloep  had  geen  Rie- 
men, maar  voor  in  lag  een  Dreg  met  een  Tou, 
die  ik  aan  land  vast  maakte.  Ik  was  hyna. 
afgemat  om  de  Sloep  van  land  te  houden,  dog 
had  hem  nu  vast. 

Ik  ging  na  mijn  Kasteel,  maakten  vuur,  warm- 
den my,  en  nam  een  half  kopje  Spaansche  Wijn, 
dat  my  weer  kragten  byzette.  Weeder  aan 
strand  komende,  zag  veele  Vaten,  Kisten,  en 
Pakken  aan  komen  drijven,  waar  van  eenige  al 
vast  zaaten  op  't  strand ;  een  waar  teeken  dat  in 
den  vorigen  Storm  een  Schip  hier  ontrent 
geblceven  ofte  vergaan  was ;  ik  haalden  knap 
mijn  bijl,  sloeg  eenige  Kisten  op,  en  vond  daar 
in  Hembden,  Plunjen,  Tabak  &c.  zoo  als  Matroos 


136  De  Historie 


(153) 


of  Soldaat  gewend  is  meede  te  neemen ;  de  meeste 
waaren  van  binnen  nog  droog.  Ik  plunderden 
zoo  veel  ik  konde,  brengende  voort  een  dragt  a 
vier  in  mijn  kasteel,  dat  nat  was  droogden  ik. 
Mijn  blijdschap  kon  ik  niet  uitdrukken,  en  kan 
ook  niemand  weeten  of  denken,  als  zulke  die  in 
de  alderuitterste  armoed  geweest  zijn. 

Eenige  Kisten  was  geen  of  zeer  weinig  waater 
in  gekomen,  uit  die  trok  ik  voort  een  hembd  en 
plunjen  aan,  meenden  waarlijk  zoo  rijk  te  zijn 
als  een  groot  Koning ;  vond  ook  eenige  Bes- 
chuiten, die  nuttigde  met  wat  Spaansche  wijn, 
't  welk  my  weer  sterk  maakte. 

Naa  't  Strand  gaande  om  meer  te  haaien,  zag 
ik  een  gants  Agter-Schip  aan  koomen  drijven, 
met  nog  veele  Tonnen,  Kisten,  Bossen  Stokvis, 
Planken  &c.  Nu  wierd  ik  verblijd,  hoopende  dat 
daar  in  nog  een  leevend  Menseh  zouw  zijn  tot 
mijn  gezelschap.  Dit  dreef  zoo  ver  op  strand 
tot  het  vast  bleef  zitten,  als  ook  veele  goed,  zoo 
genoemd  heb.  Het  was  nu  by  uitneementheid 
hoog  waater  als  dit  goed  op  strand  aan  kwam; 
de  wind  bedaarende,  en  't  waater  vallende,  zat 
het  Wrak  zoo  hoog  en  droog,  dat  daar  niet  in 
konde  komen,  maar  liep  daar  rondom,  roepende 
en  schreeuwende,  of  daar  Volk  in  waar;  dog 
niemand  gaf  antwoord. 

Ik  het  met  aandagt  rondom  besiende,  zag  dat 
het   geheele   Stuur-boord  aan   stukken  was,   de 


van  den  El-ho  137 


besaans-roede  lag  dwers  over  't  schip,  en  de 
besaans-schoot  hing  over  bak-boord,  daar  het 
geheele  Wrak  over  helde;  ik  kreeg  het  tou  vat, 
en  klom  teegen  't  Wrak  op;  ik  vond  niemand, 
ik  zogt  onder  en  boven,  ik  kwam  in  de  Hut,  daar 
ses  Kisten,  en  drie  Kelders  vond,  met  een  groote 
(154)  Engelsche  Dog,  welke  my  siende  kwispelsteerte, 
en  mijn  hand  lekten;  op  't  halve  dek  was  een 
groote  Keulsche  pot  met  water;  aan  bak-boord 
onder  het  halve  dek,  twee  Stukken  die  uit  haar 
Poorten  keeken,  en  een  Stuk  met  sijn  ropaard 
omgevallen,  van  stuur-boord  daar  tegen  aan 
gerold,  de  kajuyt  had  vier  vensters,  de  glasen 
waren  weinig  beschadigt,  de  Kapiteins  kooy  nog 
geheel  in  wesen. 

Ik  dit  gesien  hebbende,  wist  niet  wat  te  doen ; 
wat  gepractiseert  hebbende,  haalde  al  't  loopende 
wand  van  de  besaans-mast,  en  hakten  de  besaans 
hoofd-touwen  boven  onder  de  mars-zaaling  af, 
die  buyten  boord  vallende,  raakten  by  naa 
grond;  hier  kon  ik  met  mijn  gemaakte  leer 
gemakkelijk  by.  Ik  al  weer  na  beneden,  dan 
booven,  roepende  of  'er  geen  Menschen  waren; 
dog  kwam  nog  hoorden  niemand. 

Onder  't  halve  dek  herom  soekende,  zag  ik  de 
Timmermans-kist  open,  daar  in  was  zaag,  ham- 
ers, hylen,  beitels,  sehaaven,  booren  &c.  Ik  met 
bijl,  haamer,  breek-3-ser  &q.  weer  na  de  hut,  daar 
tien  koven  in  waren,  en  in  de  koyen  waren  nog 


138  De  Historie 


drie  kelders.  Ik  smeet  twee  Buitsakken,  twee 
Dekens,  en  vieer  hooft-kussens  over  boord,  om 
naa  mijn  Kasteel  te  brengen,  ik  opende  een 
^^^^^  Stuurmans  kist,  vond  daar  in  twaalf  goede  hem- 
den, getekend  H.  G.  met  drie  pak  onder-kleeren 
en  een  Landganger,  een  Kaas,  Tabak,  Pijpen, 
Zee-Atlas  &c.  Ik  smeet  de  Hemden  en  Plunjen 
ook  over  boord,  en  daalden  langs  de  besaans 
hoofd-touwen  af,  om  dat  alles  te  bergen. 

Den  grooten  Engelschen  Hond,  kreet  my  naa, 
en  wilde  van  boven  springen;  dit  bewoog  my 
weer  naa  boven  te  komen;  ik  bond  hem  de  bek 
toe,  en  liet  hem  met  de  besaans-schoot  na  beneden, 
daar  ik  hem  volgde;  desen  Hond  was  grof  en 
sterk,  en  ik  gebruikten  hem  tot  mijn  Lastdrager. 
By  hem  komende  nam  ik  zoo  veel  als  draagen 
kon  na  mijn  Kasteel ;  hier  wat  rustende,  en  den 
Hond  wat  gekookte  Vis  gevende,  met  wat  water, 
bewees  my  dat  beest  hoe  langer  hoe  merder 
vrindsehap. 

Den  Avond  viel,  ik  was  vermoeid,  dog  ging 
met  mijn  Drager,  (zoo  noemden  ik  mijn  Hond) 
naa  de  rivier,  en  deed  hem  drinken ;  ik  had  daar 
een  party  gekookte  Vis,  die  hy  op  at.  Wy  weeder, 
na  mijn  kasteel  gaande,  en  daar  komende,  sneed 
hem  van  een  drooge  Stieren  huid  een  Vel  over 
zijn  lijf;  ik  nam  twee  ongeleemde  manden  van 
anderhalf  voet,  ook  van  een  voet,  die  met  twee 


van  den  El-ho  139 


touwen  aan  een  hegtendo,  dit  was  sijn  gereed- 
schap, om  te  dragen. 

(156)  Ik  maakten  vuur,  kookten  en  braaden  Vis,  at 

met  mijn  Draager  ons  buyken  vol,  wy  sliepen 
gerust.     Des  morgens   met  den  dag  ging  met 
Draager  naa  't  Wrak,  zetten  hem  zijn  manden  en 
vel  af;  boven  koomende,  sloeg  ik  de  kisten  op 
een  ry  open,  vond  kleeren,  Linnen,  Tabak,  Koop- 
manschap, Beschuit,  Kaasen  &c.    In  eene  kelder 
stak  een  sleutel  in,  daar  ik  wel  vier  meede  op 
maakte,  die  alle  vol  Brandewijn  waren ;  ik  wierp 
weder  linnen,  wollen,  en  wat  my  diende  over 
boord,  en  besteeden  dien  dag,  met  ons  beiden  te 
draagen,  wel  eetende  en  wel  drinkende.     Het 
Wrak  sat  als  schuins  op  de  agterste  bil  van  bak- 
boord, en  was  beneden  nog  vol  water.     Ik  berg- 
den  al  wat  ik  kon,  niets  mishaagden  my,  in  elk 
van  mijn  hutten  kwam  vry  wat  goed. 

Ik  maakten  nog  twee  langagtige  manden  voor 
Draager.  De  kelders  liet  ik  met  de  bezaans- 
schoot  af;  ik  droeg  linnen  en  wollen,  en  Draager 
elke  reis  ses  stoops  flessen ;  dus  kreeg  ik  haast  de 
seeven  kelders  over.  De  leedige  kisten  kon  ik 
ook  als  de  kelders  aflaaten,  maar  kon  die  niet 
voortkrijgen,  tot  my  inviel,  dat  een  zaag  had,  ik 
zaagden  vier  blokken  van  een  gaven  ronden 
Boom,  maakende  daar  van  vier  raaden,  die  onder 
een  langwerpig  vierkant  vast  maakende,   toen 

•57)      had  ik  een  waagen.  Trekgereedschap  maakten  ik 


140  De  Historie 


voor  Draager,  welke  de  waagen  met  een  kist 
makkelijk  kon  trekken  als  ik  wat  aanschoof. 
Dus  kreeg  ik  in  weinig  tijd  veel  groote  en  kleine 
kisten,  eenige  bossen  Stok-vis,  met  veel'erley 
goed. 

Hier  naa  de  Kajuit  visiteerende,  vond  vier 
kleine  tonnetjes  fijne  Beschuit,  elk  tonnetje  als 
een  biervierendeel,  Kannen,  Glaasen,  twee  Sil- 
veren  Beekers,  Bouteljes  met  Wijn,  Bier,  Oli, 
Azijn,  de  Kooy  met  sijn  Gordijnen,  Stoelen, 
Banken,  Lampen,  Kandelaars,  een  kist  met 
Kaarssen  &c. 

Hier  bleef  het  nog  niet  by,  wy  wierden  hoe 
langer  hoe  rijker,  de  Konstapels-kaamer  had  ik 
nog  niet  gevisiteert ;  daar  koomende,  vond  zeer 
veele  Kooijen  en  Kisten,  veele  Kardoesen  in 
haar  kookers,  twee  hoorne  Lantaarens,  en  twee 
kelders  met  Brandewijn, 

Ik  dorst  naa  beneden  in  de  Kruit-kaamer  niet 
gaan,  uit  vreese  voor  't  waater.  De  beide  kelders 
en  flessen  afgelaaten  hebbende,  bragt  die  naa 
mijn  Kasteel.  Voorts  resolveerden  ik  om  onder 
in  de  Konstaapels-kaamer  een  gat  te  houwen, 
ten  einde  het  waater  hem  daar  door  ontlasten 
zou,  en  nam  een  avangaar  of  groote  kruisboor, 
en  boorden  daar  door;  daar  geen  waater  uit 
(158)  kwam,  dat  my  verwonderde;  boorden  even  voor 
de  Kruit-kaamer,  daar  terstond  waater  kreeg; 
ik  weer  in  't  Wrak,  stak  eene  lantaarne  aan,  ging 


van  den  El -ho  141 


doen  in  de  Kruit-kaamer,  die  ongeschonden, 
gaaf,  en  droog  bevond,  daar  braaf  Kruit,  en  ook 
Kardoes-papier  in  was. 

Aan  de  andere  zijde  was  de  Brood-kaamer,  zoo 
droog  als  kurk;  hier  vond  ik  voor  my  en 
Draager,  meer  Brood  als  voor  zes  jaaren  van 
nooden  had.  Daar  by  veel  Leidsche  en  Soete- 
melks-kaasen,  vier-en-twintig  Kelders,  elk  met 
sijn  Sleutels,  twee  toegemaakte  Tonnen  zonder 
spontgaaten,  daar  Booter  in  was. 

Dit  bezigtigt  hebbende,  bragt  wat  Beschuit  en 
Kaas  boven,  dat  aflaatende,  naa  mijn  Kasteel 
bragt ;  en  met  Draager  wat  gegeeten  hebbende, 
tyden  wy  weeder  naa  't  Wrak.  Het  waater  zig 
ontlast  hebbende,  zag  in  de  veertig  ronde  Potten, 
boven  met  kalk  toegemaakt ;  ik  kenden  die  niet, 
eene  open  doende,  was  die  vol  Boom-olie,  hier 
van  moesten  voort  een  party  na  mijn  Fort ;  daar 
had  ik  nu  Brood,  Kaas,  Oly,  Brandewijn,  en 
voorts  al  wat  ik  wenschen  kon.  Nu  moest  ik  de 
Vaaten  visiteeren  die  op  strand  gespoeld  waaren, 
ging  met  mijn  boor  en  eenige  swikjes  of  bosjes 
daar  naa  toe.  Hier  vond  ik  drie  vaaten  Mom, 
(159)  een  vat  Azijn,  drie  vaaten  Fransche,  en  drie 
vaaten  Rinsche  Wijn ;  ik  dronk  eens,  en  dagt  wat 
my  te  doen  stond.  Voortrollen  kon  ik  niet,  ik 
had  by  de  Oly-potteu  nog  ses  kelders  Brande- 
wijn gevonden,  die  weg  goot,  om  dat  meer  Bran- 
dewijn had  als  begeerde;  deese  kelders  aan  de 


142  De  Historie 


rivier  gebragt,  en  schoon  gespoeld  hebbende, 
tapten  ik  'er  vier  vol  Mom,  en  twee  met  Fransche 
Wijn. 

Ik  had  ook  drie  leedige  ankers  in  de  Hnt  ge- 
vonden, twee  vulden  ik  ook  met  Fransche  Wijn, 
alzoo  die  liever  dronk  als  Rinsche ;  deese  voerden 
wy  ook  naa  mijn  wijn-hut ;  een  met  Wijn-azijn 
vullende,  bragt  ik  in  mijn  Kasteel,  daar  ook  een 
kelder  Brandewijn  wech  goot,  en  haalden  die 
vol  Fransche  Wijn. 

Ik  goot  zoo  veel  Brandewijn  wech,  dat  ik  een 
oxhoofd  Franse  wijn  af  tapten,  dat  naa  de  rivier 
rollende,  spoelden  dat  schoon,  ley  dat  onder  een 
digte  schaaduwe  van  een  Boom,  daar  geen  Son 
kon  by  koomen;  hier  in  bragt  ik  een  ander  vat 
in  over,  t'  elkens  een  Ankers-kelder  vol  tap- 
pende, kon  Draager  die  gemakkelijk  trekken; 
dus  kreeg  ik  al  de  Wijn,  Mom,  en  Azijn  over,  tot 
onder  de  Boomen,  daar  die  nog  met  Takken  wel 
dekkende. 

Ik  bragt  vier  kelders  Brandewijn  weer  uit 
(160)  mijn  Kasteel  in  de  Brandewijns-hut,  al  waar  nu 
vier-en-twintig  kelders  Brandewijn  had,  op  en 
by  malkander  staan.  Ik  had  in  de  Brood-hut 
sestien  Kisten  met  Beschuit,  en  drie  vierendeels 
vaaten  met  fijne  Beschuit.  Ik  had  in  de  Kaas- 
hut  veertien  Leidse  en  seeven-en-twintig  oude 
Soetemelks-kaasen.  Ik  had  in  de  Oly-hut  vier- 
en-veertig   ronde   potten   Olye.     Ik   had   in   de 


van  den  El-ko  143 


Kruit-hiit  agt-en-dartig  Kardoesen  in  hare 
kookers,  eu  ses  geleemde  Kisten  vol  gevulde 
Kardoesen,  Ik  had  daar  ook  in  sestien  riem 
Kardoes-papier.  Ik  had  in  de  Bies-hut  veele 
bossen  gedroogde  Biesen.  Ik  had  in  de  Hout- 
hut,  drooge  Rysen,  en  gekloofd  Hout,  met  nog 
een  groote  stapel  daar  by.  Ik  had  in  de  Sout- 
hut  ses  beleemde  kisten  met  Sout,  daar  by  ses 
bossen  Stok-vis  die  weder  gedroogd  had. 

Voorts  een  hut  vol  Kooyen  en  Plunjen,  en  in 
mijn  Kasteel  een  braave  kooy  met  al  wat  daar 
toe  behoord,  twee  kelders  Brandewijn,  een  kelder 
Rinse,  en  een  kelder  Franse  Wijn ;  een  kelder 
Mom,  en  een  kelder  Wijn-azijn :  noch  een  anker 
Franse  wijn,  een  vierendeels  vat  met  fijne 
Beschuit,  een  Kist  met  Scheeps-besehuit,  een  kist 
Kaarsen,  een  Teekeetel,  met  een  dosijn  Kopjes 
en  Schoteltjes,  Tee,  Koffi-boonen,  en  een  rest 
Zaaly,  dit  alle  haalden  ik  uit  de  Brood-kelder, 
(161)  met  drie  nieuwe  Keetels,  Linnen  en  Wollen  zat, 
Tabak,  Pijpen,  en  alles. 

Nu  had  ik  een  Konings  leeven,  en  daar  by  ook 
geselschap  aan  mijn  Hond. 

Op  een  tijd  een  brave  Snaphaan  krijgende, 
(want  ik  had  'er  nu  ses)  ging  voor  plaisier  in  't 
Bosch,  om  te  zien  of  ik  ook  een  Stier  bekoomen 
kon;  ontrent  een  half  uur  gewandeld  hebbende, 
zag  van  verre  een  uitneemenden  grooten  Vogel, 
die  op  een  hogen  boom  zat;  ik  bekroop  hem  zoo 


144  De  Historie 


naa  als  mogelijk  was ;  staande  nu  agter  een  dikke 
Boom,  en  mijn  roer  over  een  tak  leggende,  schoot 
hem  regt  in  de  Borst,  dat  hy  dood  om  laag  kwam, 
hj'  viel  zoo  swaar  als  een  groot  Schaap.  Het 
was  een  wonderlijken  grooten  en  schonen  Vogel, 
sign  lighaam  was  zoo  groot  als  een  Kasuaris, 
welke  ik  op  Batavia  gesien  had.  Hy  was  te  groot 
om  te  draagen,  dies  haalden  ik  mijn  waagen,  en 
Draager  moest  in  't  span ;  ik  hadde  agter  aan  de 
waagen  een  leuning,  als  aan  een  sleede  gemaakt, 
om  aan  te  schuiven.  Een  bijl  met  wat  touw  op 
de  waagen  gelegt  hebbende,  toogen  wy  te  veld, 
en  vonden  hem;  ik  ley  hem  op  de  waagen,  en 
bragten  hem  naa  't  Kasteel,  daar  hem  met  aan- 
dagt  bezag.  Sijn  nebbe  was  krom  als  een  Arends 
bek,  maar  bloed  rood;  sijn  hoofd  en  borst  was 
(162)  goud  geel ;  op  sijn  hoofd  had  hy  een  zeer  schoone 
roode  kuive ;  sijn  nek  tot  aan  de  rug,  was  groen 
en  blaau,  als  zommige  Vaderlandse  tamme 
Eenden ;  sijn  rug  was  git  swart ;  sijn  vleugels 
waaren  bloed  rood,  als  de  beste  Papegais-veeren, 
en  zoo  ook  sijn  steert;  sijn  beenen  waaren  zeer 
grof  en  swart,  daar  aan  zeer  dikke  en  roode 
kromme  klauwen ;  sijn  vleugels  waaren  by 
uitneementheid  groot,  de  schaften  waaren  meer 
als  eens  zoo  dik  als  Swaane  schaften.  Ik  sneed 
hem  sijn  pooten,  vleugels,  en  hals  af,  die  liet 
droogen;  sijn  lighaam  afvillende,  bevond  dat 
zeer  vet  en  blank;  hem  opsnijdende,  was  onbe- 


van  den  El-ha  145 


denkelijk  vet  van  binnen,  't  welk  niet  sterk, 
maar  zeer  zoet  was.  Ik  kookten  en  braaclen  van 
hem  verscheide  daagen,  ik  en  Draager  smulden 
daar  lekkertjes  van,  tot  hy  op  was.  Naa  eenigen 
tijd  bragt  ik  de  Sloep  in  de  Kom,  maakende 
eenige  Riemen  van  't  waagenschot  dat  ik  uit  de 
Kajuit  en  uit  de  Hut  brak ;  want  al  de  kooijen 
in  de  hut,  het  beschot  en  kastjes  in  de  kajuit  had 
ik  afgebrooken.  Nu  roeiden  ik  somtijts  voor 
plaisier  in  de  kom  om  daar  te  visschen.  Ik  had 
de  peil-lijn  en  't  lood  uit  het  Wrak  gekreegen, 
en  willende  de  kom  eens  peilen,  vond  ik  die  een 
kanon-schoot  van  land,  wel  vijftig  vaademen 
(163)  diep.  Ik  hadde  drie  groote  hoeken  met  kettings, 
daar  men  Heyen  meede  vangt,  gevonden;  hier 
raeede  om  vermaak  in  de  kom  vissende,  bond  een 
brave  staak  aan  de  lijn  tot  mijn  vlot,  met  nog 
een  goed  stel-hout :  de  hoek  met  een  stuk  vlees 
te  grond  laatende,  had  voort  zoo  sterke  beet,  dat 
mijn  vlotten  onder  gingen  als  lood;  ik  vierden 
mijn  lijn,  en  zoetjes  naa  land  roeijende,  daar  de 
Sloep  vast  gelegt  hebbende,  haalden  al  zoetjes 
op,  en  kreeg  het  vlot  te  zien,  dat  weer  om  laag 
getrokken  wierd,  wanneer  mijn  lijn  weer  vierde ; 
dit  duurden  wel  bynaa  vier  uuren,  dat  ik  nu 
ophaalde,  en  dan  vierde,  tot  den  Viscli  vermoeid 
zijnde,  hem  aan  strand  liet  leiden. 

Mijn  lijn  had  ik  over  een  dikke  Boom-tak, 
welke  boven    't  waater  was,   geleid;  hier  over 


146  De  Historie 


haalden  ik  hem  op ;  zoo  haast  een  zeer  groote  kop 
boven  zag,  die  zeer  monstereus  was,  sparde  hy 
zoo  een  vervaarlijken  bek  op,  dat  ik  door  schrik 
in  mijn  hut  liep ;  uitziende,  teeg  hy  zagt  naa  de 
grond,  de  lijn  zagtjes  naatrekkende ;  ik  maakten 
de  lijn  klaar,  en  vierden  al  uit,  maakten  hem  dus 
moede,  en  trok  hem  weer  zoetjes  tot  digt  aan  de 
strand,  tot  op  twee  voet  naa  boven  't  waater, 
daar  hem  aandagtelijk  bezag.  Hy  was  plat,  en 
wel  zoo  groot  als  een  zeer  groote  taafel,  geleek 
(164)  wel  naa  een  Rog,  was  bruin  van  koleur;  ik  nam 
een  houwer  en  sneed  de  lijn  by  de  ketting  af; 
dus  zetten  hy  't  weer  naa  beneden,  en  kwam 
nooit  weeder  te  voorschijn ;  ik  dagt  zeer  dikwijls 
op  hem,  maar  heb  nooit  voor  of  naa  dien  tijd  zoo 
een  monster  weer  gesien. 

Nog  eens  op  een  tijd  op  den  berg  de  Uitkijk 
zijnde,  zag  zeer  veele  groote  swarte  Vogels  in  de 
sleuf  of  goote,  waar  door  de  kom  haar  in  Zee 
ontlaste;  ik  laaden  straks  twee  roers,  en  der- 
waarts gaande,  schoot  in  twee  schooten,  vijf  van 
de  gezeide  Vogels,  zoo  digt  laagen  sy  by  een ;  en 
een  krijgende,  zag  ik  dat  het  swarte  Swaanen 
waaren;  zy  dreeven  met  de  vloed  naa  de  kom; 
ik  haalden  mijn  sloep,  kreeg  de  overige  doode, 
bragt  die  in  een  hut,  plukten  en  bewaarden  de 
veeren ;  het  vet  was  goed  in  de  lamp ;  vier  zouten 
ik,  die  in  de  rook  droogde.  In  al  mijn  tijd 
waaren  hier  zoodaanige  Vogels  niet  geweest,  ik 


van  den  El-ho  147 


schoot  'er  veele  om  het  vet,  en  de  veeren,  waar 
meede  vier  biiltzakken  vulde.  Naa  eenigen  tijd 
vertrokken  zy,  en  kwamen  niet  weer. 

Nu  leefden  ik  en  mijn  Draager  zoo  wy  begeer- 
den. Maar  de  Wereld  en  al  dat  daar  in  en  op  is, 
is  de  verandering  onderworpen.  Dus  een  ge- 
ruime tijd,  zeer  gerust  en  vrolijk  met  mijn 
(165)  Hond  leevende;  weinig  meer  op  't  Vaderland  of 
't  Schip  denkende ;  was  ik  op  een  tijd  op  den 
Berg  de  Uit-kijk,  met  een  Verre-kijker  wat  rond- 
om ziende,  ontdekten  ik  eenige  Menschen  by 
de  Staak,  dat  my  in  vreese  en  hoope  bragt,  niet 
weetende  of  het  goed  of  kwaad,  geluk  of  ongeluk 
voor  my  zoude  brengen. 

My  in  mijn  Kasteel  begeevende,  laaden  ik  mijn 
ses  roers,  mijn  deur  en  kijkgaaten  stoppende, 
behalven  eene  naa  de  strand.  Draager  bond  ik 
sijn  mond,  om  dat  niet  blaffen  zou.  Uitsiende, 
zag  Mannen,  Vrouwen,  en  Kinderen  naa  't 
Wrak  marcheeren,  op  mijn  Kasteel  niet  eens 
denkende.  Zy  bezagen  het  Wrak,  en  trokken 
voort  naa  de  Rivier,  daar  zy  mijn  hutten  vin- 
dende, een  vervaarlijk  gebaar  en  gekrijt 
maakten,  dat  my  zeer  ontstelde  en  verschrikte. 
Zy  alle  konden  my  in  mijn  kasteel  niet  doen; 
maar  zy  waaren  naa  gissing  wel  hondert  Men- 
schen, die  my  waarlijk  konden  uithongeren. 
Zy  haalden  hout  uit  de  hout-hut  en  maakten 
vliegens  vuur,  mijn  droog  hout  moest  daar  aan 


148  Be  Historie 

geloven,  en  al  mijn  Vis  die  zy  vonden,  pakten  zy 
aan;  al  haar  doen  beschouden  ik  door  een  kijk- 
gat,  zy  zaaten  in  vijf  partyen  romdom  [sic]  die 
vuuren,  onder  haar  eeten,  warmen  en  tieren,  zag 
(geloof  ik)  eenen  mijnen  Kasteel,  daar  op  een 
(166)  geroep  maakende,  kwaamen  alle  al  schreeuwende 
naa  my  toe,  elk  up  het  lierdste  loopende. 

Toen  zy  nog  aan  't  Wrak  waaren,  bad  ik  God 
dat  hy  my  wilde  in  geeven  wat  my  best  was.  De 
helft  dood  te  schieten  was  wel  kans  toe ;  maar  ik 
had  geen  waater,  zy  konden  my  wel  haast 
uitgehongerd  hebben.  Ook  kon  ik  niet  weeten  of 
nog  meer  Zuidlanders  aan  kwamen  of  niet ;  dit 
alles  maakten  my  vol  angst  en  vreese.  Indien  ik 
uit  kwam,  konden  zy  my  dooden,  ik  wist  geen 
raad.  God  had  my  uit  zoo  veele  gevaaren  gered, 
ik  bad  nu  weer  van  herten;  en  eindigende,  ley 
ik  in  Gods  naam  vuur  aan,  at  mijn  buik  vol 
beschuit,  dronk  een  beeker  wijn  toe,  gaf  Draager 
sijn  buik  vol  vis  en  Scheeps-beschuit. 

Ik  schoot  een  schoot  boven  uit,  waar  op  zy  alle 
op  hun  aangesigten  vielen ;  ik  dronk  nog  een 
beeker  wijn,  en  begaf  my  met  mijn  houwer  en 
een  gelaaden  roer  uit  mijn  kasteel.  Zy  laagen 
aan  de  zijde  van  't  kasteel  in  't  Bosch  nog  alle 
ter  aarden,  tot  ik  agter  mijn  hut  komende,  haar 
toe  sprak,  Mannen  wat  Land  is  dit?  en  wat  Volk 
zijt  gy?  Zy  bleeven  alle  leggen,  tot  ik  eene  by 
de  hand  op  ligte,  hem  teeken  doende,  dat  de 


van  den  El-ha  149 


anderen  ook  zouden  opstaan,  't  welk  deeden. 
Wenkten  haar  dat  zy  zouden  gaan  zitten;  dit 
(167)  deed  ik  met  groote  belceftheid,  haar  met  een 
uitgestrekten  arm  om  laag  wenkende,  daar  by 
mijn  hoofd  wat  omdraijende,  waar  op  zy  alle 
weder  ter  aarden  vielen,  op  haar  aangezigten. 
My  moogelijk  voor  eene  van  haare  Goden  aan- 
siende,  om  dat  ik  blank  was,  en  gedonderd  had. 
Het  Roer  in  mijn  hand  hebbende,  schoot  ik  over 
haar  heen  los.  Zy  bleven  als  Houden  leggen ; 
my  daar  van  dienende,  haalden  voort  een  ander 
gelaaden  roer,  met  een  korf  vol  Scheeps-beschuit, 
en  mijn  vorige  post  weer  in  neemende,  beurden 
ik  andermaal  een  Man  op,  hem  wijsende  dat  zy 
zouden  opstaan,  zoo  als  zy  deeden ;  en  de  beschuit 
haar  omdeelende,  wierden  zy  vryer,  vattende 
malkander  hand  aan  hand,  en  dus  om  mijn 
kasteel  heen  dansende,  al  singende,  en  somtijts 
in  de  handen  klappende. 

Zy  waaren  alle  zoo  naakt  als  zy  gebooren 
waareu,  en  zonder  schaamte  haar  van  agteren  en 
voren  ontlastende  als  Honden,  zelf  zonder  haar 
eens  om  te  draaijen.  Deesen  Trop  was  uit  twee 
geslagten  naa  ik  sien  kon,  zommige  zoo  swart  als 
pik,  met  wol  op  haar  hoofdeu ;  anderen  waaren 
rosse  als  afgevallen  en  gedroogde  blaaden,  en 
liaddeu  lang  hair.  De  Vrouwen  hadden  zeer 
dikke  buiken,  lange  todden  van  borsten,  zijnde 
onbeschaamde  teeven. 


150  De  Historie 


(163)  Naa  dat  zy  wat  gedanst  en  geschreeud  hadden, 

liepen  zy  alle  Bosehwaard  in.  Ik  dankte  God  dat 
hy  my  van  dit  perijkel  verlost  had. 

Nu  meenden  ik  alle  gevaar  te  boven  te  zijn,  en 
ging  en  bezag  mijn  hutten ;  bevond  dat  mijn  hout 
en  vis  meest  voort  was,  het  ander  hadden  zy  niet 
aangeraakt. 

My  dagt  het  nu  tijd  te  zijn  om  mijn  Kasteel 
te  voorsien,  of  zy  weederom  kwaamen.  Twaalf 
Ankers-kelders  goot  ik  de  Brandewijn  uit,  de 
flessen  spoelende,  en  met  waater  vullende,  bragt 
die  in  mijn  Kasteel ;  dat  vorder  voorsiende  met 
vier  kelders  Mom,  vier  kelders  Franse,  en  drie 
kelders  Rinse  Wijn,  twee  kelders  Wijn-aziju. 
Uit  de  Brood-hut  bragt  ik  over  de  overige  drie 
vaatjes  fijne  Beschuit,  met  sestien  kisten  Scheeps- 
besehuit,  tien  Leidse,  en  twintig  Soetemelks- 
kaasen,  twintig  potten  Oly,  dertig  flessen  vol 
Boter,  nog  ses-en-dertig  kardoes-kookers  met 
gevulde  Kardoesen,  voorts  Linnen  en  Wollen  zoo 
veel  bergen  kon.  Touwen  zadt,  Keetels,  Bylen, 
Schop  &c. 

Mijn  Kasteel  was  een  half  uur  gaans  van  't 
Wrak ;  ik  met  mijn  waagen  daar  heen,  en  haalden 
nog  twaalf  fles-kelders,  daar  de  flessen  met 
Brandewijn  uit  zetten,  brak  de  middelschotjes 
(169)  daar  uit,  die  leedig  naa  mijn  Kasteel  brengende, 
om  wat  in  te  bergen. 

Kisten  en  kelders  staapelden  ik  op  een,  tot 


van  den  El-Jw  151 


neegen  en  tien  voeten  hoog,  eerst  vulden  ik  de 
onderste  kist,  daar  dan  een  leedige  opsettende, 
vulden  die  dan  ook,  en  zoo  vervolglijk ;  mijn  leer, 
kisten  en  kelders  waaren  mijn  trappen,  daar  de 
leedige  dingen  by  op  bragt.  De  kijkgaaten 
overal  vry  laatende. 

Wanneer  dit  alles  dus  gevlyd  was  en  soo  op 
een  gestaapeld,  had  ik  nog  een  zeer  ruim  en  groot 
gemak ;  want  het  was  agt-en-twintig  voeten  regt 
in  't  midden  door  te  meeten  van  d'eene  wand 
aan  d 'andere. 

Lamp-pit  en  Lonte  had  ik  genoeg,  neevens 
Kaarsen,  Lamp  en  Kandelaars. 

Nu  moest  ik  my  nog  van  Brandhout  en  Zout 
verzorgen,  dat  ook  al  haalde. 

Voorts  haalden  ik  zoo  veel  leedige  kisten  uit 
de  Konstaapels-kaamer  als  bergen  kon;  dese 
bragt  met  mijn  Hond  in  't  Kasteel,  die  vullende 
met  Touw,  Beschuit,  en  voorts  daar  ik  zin  in 
had ;  bergden  ook  mijn  overige  Kaas  en  Oly,  had 
nu  een  voorneemen  van  mijn  kasteel  te  ver- 
weeren, als  'er  geen  gewaapende  kwamen. 

Mijne  meininge  was,  dat  wel  voor  ses  jaaren 
versien  was.  Op  een  tijd  het  Wrak  met  aandagt 
(170)  visiteerende,  vond  nog  twee  vatten  met  gevulde 
Hand-granaaten,  met  pijpen  daar  in,  daar  ander- 
half honderd  van  over  haalden,  en  ziende  weer 
de  Boter  tonnen,  vulden  ik  daar  van  nog  drie 
Brandewijns  ankers. 


152  De  Historie 


Vond  ook  vier  metaalen  Bassen,  die  over  bragt, 
neevens  een  vaatje  roer-koogels. 

Eu  nu  kon  ik  niet  meer  bergen,  maar  was  van 
alles  klaar  en  voorsien.  God  biddende,  dat  my 
wilde  bewaaren  en  helpen;  leevende  weeder 
gerust  en  wel. 

Twee  Tuinen  begon  ik  aan  te  leggen,  van  agt 
voeten  hoog,  en  agtien  lang,  aan  elke  zijde  van 
de  deure,  regt  uit  gaande,  om  niet  overvallen  te 
worden,  deesen  gang  sloot  ik  met  een  deur. 

Ook  en  dorst  ik  nooit  zoo  verre  als  voor  deesen 
van  huis  gaan,  altijd  het  bosch  of  de  rivier  eerst 
bespiedende,  dan  op  de  Uitkijk  ziende  met  mijn 
verrekijker,  Naa  verloop  van  tijd  was  het  volle 
Maan;  als  ik  voor  mijn  deur  zat  en  rookten, 
hoorden  ik  boschwaard  in,  een  j'selijk  geroep  en 
geschreeuw,  dat  my  niet  weinig  verschrikte !  het 
kwam  hoe  langer  hoe  naarder;  ik  sloot  mijn 
poort  en  deur  zoo  vast  ik  kon ;  biddende  God  om 
hulpe.  Het  gedruis  ging  naa  de  rivier,  daar  het 
bleef. 

Dag  wordende,  zag  ik  aan  de  rievier  [sic]  naa 
(171)  gissing,  wel  duiseud  Menschen,  voerende  eenige 
houten  spiessen,  andere  groote  knodsen,  daar  zy 
mijn  hutten  meede  verbraaken  en  dan  verbran- 
den; waar  aan  ik  merkten  dat  het  Oorlog  was. 
Mijn  Bassen  en  Roers  gelaaden  hebbende,  be- 
reiden ik  my  tot  vegten.  Door  mijn  verrekijker 
konde  ik  zien,  dat  eenige  hun  aangesigten  met 


van  den  El-h  o  153 


een  geelagtige  verf  geheel  geverfd  liaddeu;  an- 
dere hadden  ringen  om  de  oogen,  en  een  streek 
over  't  voorhoofd  en  nens;  de  meeste  waaren 
gants  niet  geverfd. 

Zy,  zoo  't  scheen  hielden  raad;  daar  naa  al 
schreenwende  naa  't  kasteel  loopende,  slaande 
met  hun  kodden  op  't  kasteel  met  groot  geraas. 
Ik  losten  een  schoot  boven  uit,  en  zag  of  zy  als 
de  eerste  troep  ook  ter  aarden  vielen;  maar  zy 
bleven  staan,  en  lagten,  slaande  eeven  sterk  op 
mijn  fort,  dies  schoot  ik  uit  een  kijkgat  zoo  een 
geschilderden  door  sijn  hoofd  dat  hy  beuitelden. 
Doen  nog  eens  in  den  hoop  brandende,  schreeu- 
den  zy  geweldig,  vliedende  naa  't  Bosch,  en  twee 
a  drie  zoo  dood  of  gekwetst  meede  neemende. 
God  heb  dank  tot  dus  ver  zeid  ik  in  my  zelven ; 
ik  nam  een  roemer  Wijn  tot  victory,  en  gaf 
Draager  een  sehootel  Vis. 

Naa  omtrent  een  half  uur,  kwamen  zy  met 
(172)  gruwlijk  geschreeu  weederom,  dog  dorsten  niet 
naaby  komen,  maar  trokken  naa  de  Strand,  daar 
zy  weer  raad  hielden;  als  wanneer  twaalf  ge- 
schilderden met  haar  houte  spiesen  uittraaden 
tot  aan  mijn  poort;  dog  die  niet  konnende  op 
krijgen,  wenkten  een  party  met  dikke  staaken 
en  knodsen;  deese  dan  met  geweld  de  poort 
opbreekende,  traaden  in  de  gang  naa  mijn  deur, 
als  wanneer  ik  een  Bas  met  Muskets-kogels  en 
schroot  op  haar  loste,  waar  door  ses  onder  de  voet 


154  De  Historie 


raakten,  de  andere  gingen  loopen.  Ik  met  een 
houwer  uit,  die  niet  dood  waaren  maakten  ik 
dood,  waar  onder  een  jonge  was  dien  ik  het  hoofd 
af  hieu,  haar  dat  toewerpende,  daar  zy  rondom 
kwamen  staan ;  ik  naa  binnen,  laadende  de  Bas 
als  voren,  en  nam  doen  drie  hand-granaaten,  een 
tusschen  haar  werpende,  bleven  zy  staan,  hy 
sloeg,  eenige  wierden  gekwetst,  nog  bleven  zy 
staan ;  jaa  daar  kwamen  nog  al  meer  by,  waarom 
mijn  tweede  en  derde  ook  tusschen  haar  in  liet 
gaan,  welke  goede  werking  deeden,  want  zy 
kreeten  als  honden;  zy  waaren  uaaby,  dies  nam 
ik  twee  roers,  daar  meede  aan  't  einde  van  de 
gang  komende,  schoot  daar  onder,  een  viel  onder 
de  voet,  en  een  ander  kreet ;  straks  losten  ik  ook 
mijn  ander,  waar  op  zy  al  krijtende  vertrokken 
naa  't  strand.  Of  zy  haar  dooden  daar  be- 
(173)  groeven,  dan  of  zy  die  in  Zee  smeeten,  weet  ik 
niet. 

Zy  trokken  naa  die  rivier,  daar  zy  veele  vuuren 
maakten,  alwaar  den  dag  en  de  geheele  nagt 
meede  voort  voeren,  altijd  by  beurten  huilende, 
dan  by  't  eene  vuur,  en  dan  by  't  andere.  Ik 
had  al  by  daage  mijn  poorte  weer  versien; 
slaapende  gerust,  alzoo  eens  gedronken  had,  my 
geweldig  op  de  wakkerheid  van  mijn  Hond  ver- 
laatende. 

De  Zonne  was  wel  een  uur  op  geweest,  als 
wanneer  mijn  Vyanden  weeder  naa  de  strand 


van  den  El-h  o  15ó 


toogen,  stil  en  zonder  geschreeu,  daar  halte  hiel- 
den, en  zoo  het  scheen  raad  houdende,  traaden 
weeder  twaalf  geschilderde  helden  uit  naa  mijn 
kasteel,  met  hun  houte  spiesen  in  de  hand ;  ik 
zette  mijn  Bassen  klaar,  mijn  lont-stok  gereed, 
en  kwam  met  twee  gelaaden  roers  voor  mijn 
deur;  zy  my  ziende,  vielen  op  hun  aangesigt,  en 
wat  geleegen  hebbende,  stond  eene  op,  welke  een 
soode  aarde  opkrabde,  leide  die  op  sijn  hoofd, 
sijn  armen  voor  sijn  borst  kruissende,  kwam  al 
bukkende  naa  mijn  toe ;  en  stil  staande,  wenkten 
ik  hem ;  hy  kwam  tot  aan  mijn  poort,  gaande  op 
sijn  hurke  zitten,  leide  als  een  Aap  sijn  beide 
<^'^*^  handen  op  de  soode,  welke  op  sijn  hoofd  lag, 
verscheidemaal  versugtende,  my  niet  dervende 
aanzien,  nog  toespreeken  ;  de  groote  troep  zag  dit 
van  verre  aan,  en  sijn  elf  Makkers  bleven  op  de 
aarde  leggen. 

Ik  alles  oversien  hebbende,  met  mijn  roer  in 
de  hand,  en  een  blooten  houwer  met  een  touw 
aan  den  arm  hangende,  trad  tot  aan  mijn  poorte, 
(zijnde  dit  een  sterk  hek)  alwaar  hy  op  de  hurke 
zat,  drie  a  vier  treeden  daar  buiten.  Ik  spraak 
hem  aan,  hier  Karel,  wat  ivild  Grj?  Hy  zag  op, 
ik  wenkten  hem  aan  't  hek  te  komen;  daar 
komende,  begon  hy  te  huilen,  en  op  sijn  borst 
kloppende,  wees  op  de  dooden,  en  dan  naa  de 
Zee,  waar  uit  ik  besloot  dat  hy  de  dooden  wilde 
haaien.     Hier  op  deed  ik  teeken,  dat  de  andere 


156  De  Historie 

die  teegen  de  grond  laagen,  zouden  vertrekken. 
Hy  hem  omkeerende,  riep  haar  toe,  waar  op 
zy  alle  opstonded,  en  liepen  by  de  groote  troep  op 
strand. 

Ik  wees  hem  hy  zou  stil  staan,  dat  hy  deed ;  ik 
haalden  Beschuit  en  Spaansche  Wijn,  die  ik  met 
hem  at  en  dronk,  ik  binnen,  en  hy  buiten  de 
poort ;  ziende  dat  hem  dat  wel  behaagde,  wees  ik 
hem,  dat  hy  alleen  de  dooden  moest  haaien,  en 
wat  te  rugge  gaan,  dat  hy  deede. 

De  Poort  los  gemaakt  hebbende,  vertrok  in 
(175)  mijn  Kasteel,  gaande  binnen  mijn  deur  zitten, 
mijn  bassen  en  roers  veerdig  hebbende.  Hy 
kwam  in  de  gang,  en  sleepten  een  vor  een,  een 
stukweegs  buiten  de  poort,  die  op  een  hoop  neer 
smijtende. 

Wanneer  hy  de  laatste  haalde,  en  buiten  was, 
kwam  ik  weeder  met  Wijn  en  Beschuit  uit,  hem 
wenkende  te  staan,  sloot  ik  mijn  poort  zeer  vast 
toe;  teiken  doende  dat  by  my  zoude  koomen, 
dat  hy  deede.  Ik  beschonk  hem  met  ses 
Beschuiten  en  een  boutelje  Wijn.  Hy  dit  aan- 
neemende,  zat  weeder  op  sijn  hurke;  en  ronkte 
als  een  slaapend  mensch,  stond  op  en  ging  by  de 
groote  trop  [sic]. 

Ik  bleef  aan  de  poort  om  dit  alles  aan  te  zien, 
wat  zy  zouden  aanvangen. 

Daar  kwamen  ses-en-dertig  geschilderde 
helden  met  haare  spiessen,  al  huilende  tot  by  de 


van  den  El-ho  157 


dooden,  welke  opneemende,  droegen  die  tot  by  de 
groote  troep.  Daar  komende,  verheften  zig  een 
yselijk  gehuil  en  gekrijt.  Zy  marcheerden  al 
krijtende  naa  de  rivier;  dit  duurden  den  ge- 
heelen  nagt,  dat  zy  by  beurten  huilden,  altemets 
by  twee  vuuren  te  gelijk,  dat  ik  alles  zien  en 
hooren  kon. 

Den  dooden-haalder  kwam  des  morgens  tot 
voor  mijn  poorte,  daar  hy  hard  op  begon  te 
huilen.  Ik  door  mijn  kijk-gaaten  rondom  geen 
ander  Volk  verneemende,  kwam  uit,  met  roer  en 
houwer.  Hy  zat  als  vooren  op  sijn  hurken,  met 
sijn  beide  handen  op  sijn  hoofd.  Ik  deed  teiken 
dat  zou  zitten  blijven,  en  my  omkeerende,  wilde 
hem  wijn  en  brood  haaien;  Draager  blaften,  en 
als  ik  om  zag  was  dien  kwant  al  boveu  op  het 
hek;  maar  ik  dit  ziende,  schoot  hem  van  boven 
dat  naar  buiten  neerbuitelden,  waar  op  weer  een 
algemeen  geschreeuw  en  groot  gehuil  by  de  rivier 
op  ging. 

Een  geverfden  kwam  uit  den  hoop,  even  als 
den  dooden  had  gedaan;  ik  wierp  hem  twee 
Beschuiten  toe,  laatende  hem  den  dooden  weg 
sleepen;  onderweege  ontmoeten  hem  verscheiden 
anderen  om  hem  te  helpen  draagen  ;  deese  by  den 
dooden  koomende,  balkten  zoo  hard  als  zy 
konden,  en  daar  meede  by  de  troep  komende, 
schreeuden  zy  alle  eeven  hard,  als  of  haar  het 
uitterste  verderf  was  naakende.    Eindelijk  trok- 


158  De  Historie 


ken  zy  Boschwaard  in.  Elk  kan  denken  of  ik 
blijde  was:  mijn  poorte,  deur,  en  kijkgaaten 
geslooten  hebbende,  leide  ik  vuur  aan,  en  kookten 
en  braaden  als  een  Prins,  maakende  met  Draager 
goede  cier;  ik  zettender  [sic]  een  victory -beeker 
op,  gaande  gerust  leggen  slaapen,  tot  den  vol- 
genden morgen  een  gat  in  den  dag  weg. 

Naademaal  ik  papier  genoeg  had,  schreef  ik  alle 
(177)  voorvallen  aan,  die  haast  door  't  dikwils  leesen 
van  buiten  konnende. 

Om  plaats  te  winnen,  brak  ik  mijn  leemen 
vloer,  die  weg  werpende ;  groef  de  Oly-potten  in 
de  grond ;  voegende  alles  zoo  kort  op  en  aan  een 
als  my  doenlijk  was.  Ik  haalden  nog  kruit, 
schroot,  en  koogels  uit  het  Wrak,  met  nog  veel 
Beschuit,  en  al  dat  noodig  agte  en  bergen  kon. 

Vier  schietgaaten,  twee  naa  't  bosch,  en  aan 
eiken  zijde  een,  deese  maakten  ik  met  breekysers 
en  beitels,  die  wel  beleemende.  Rondom  mijn 
Fort  maakten  ik  boven  aan  scherpe  paaltjes  in 
de  grond,  twee  treeden  breed.  En  nu  kon  my 
niemand  als  door  mijn  gang  het  Fort  genaaken. 

Eens  op  een  nagt  begon  Draager  geweldig  te 
blaffen,  dog  ik  hoorden  niet ;  maar  des  morgens 
ontwaakende,  zag  dat  al  mijn  paaltjes  met  zoo- 
den bedekt  waaren ;  waar  door  verschrikte,  den- 
kende dat  zy  sterk  zijnde,  wel  mijn  geheele  Fort 
zouden  begraaven.  Rondom  uitziende,  vernam 
niemand.     Draager  uitgelaaten   hebbende,   was 


van  den  El-ho  159 


ook  gerust.  Don  gohoclen  dag  zag  ik  sneedig  uit, 
niemand  verneemende ;  savonts  stak  ik  ligt  aan, 
en  begaaf  my  te  kooy.  In  de  voornagt  begon 
Dranger  weer  te  blaffen.  Mijn  ligt  bedekt  heb- 
(178)  bende,  opende  zagt  mijn  sehietgaaten,  mijn  bas- 
sen stille  aanbrengende,  gaf  ik  rondom  vuur. 
Daar  op  volgden  een  yselijk  geschreeu.  De 
sehietgaaten  terstond  weeder  stoppende,  laaden 
ik  mijn  bassen  zeer  wel,  en  bragt  die  weer  te 
boorde.  Naa  ontrent  twee  uuren  begon  Dranger 
weer  te  gnorren;  ik  verbood  hem  't  blaffen,  en 
gaf  voort  rondom  weer  vuur,  daar  al  weeder  zulk 
een  gekrijt  op  volgde.  Ik  stopten  mijn  sehiet- 
gaaten, laaden  mijn  bassen  weeder,  en  peurden 
te  kooy,  alles  en  de  Wagt  op  Dranger  laatende 
aankomen. 

Dag  wordende,  ik  en  mijn  Hond  niets  ver- 
neemende, traden  naa  buiten,  met  voorneemen 
naa  de  Uit-kijk  te  gaan,  dog  derfte  niet,  uit 
vreese  van  verrast  te  worden,  bleef  darom  dien 
dag  b}^  en  in  mijn  Fort,  sneedig  oppassende,  en 
met  Dranger  de  wagt  houdende.  Mijn  poort  en 
deur  des  avonds  wel  geslooten  hebbende,  maakten 
ik  vuur  en  ligt.  In  de  voornagt  gromden 
Dranger  als  voren.  Door  mijn  kijkgaaten  uit- 
ziende, zag  zeer  veele  vuuren,  jaa  zonder  tal,  zoo 
aan  de  rivier,  langs  de  strand,  als  over  al  in  't 
boseh,   dat   my   wat    ontstelde;   dog   bedaarden 


160  De  Historie 


haast,  denkende,  God  had  my  zoo  veel  maaien 
bewaard,  hy  zou  my  nu  ook  wel  bewaaren. 

Alles  klaar  gemaakt  hebbende,  dat  tot  een 
(179)  aankomende  Batailje  dienen  kon,  en  twee  Lont- 
stokken  gereed  staande,  gaf  Draager  maar  weinig 
eeten,  om  niet  slaaperig  te  worden.  Ik  nam  fijne 
Beschuit  met  wat  wijn,  en  begaf  my  naa  kooy, 
zoo  lang  slaapende,  tot  Draager  my  wakker 
blaften.  Ik  ontwakende,  hoorden  veel  getier,  ge- 
schreeuw, en  geroep,  somtijts  als  of  zy  zongen. 

Uitziende,  zag  het  Wrak  in  volle  vlam,  dat  my 
zoo  ontstelde,  dat  ik  niet  staan  kon,  kruipende 
naa  mijn  kooy,  wierd  flaauw ;  doch  weeder  by  my 
self  komende,  en  alles  overdenkende,  bad  ik  God 
al  schreyende  om  hulp,  als  naa  een  weinig  uuren 
vuur  in  de  Kruit-kaamer  kwam,  dat  een  ver- 
vaarlijke slag  gaf,  waar  op  een  yselijk  geschrey 
opging.  Het  geheele  Leeger  was  omtrent  het 
Wrak  vergaderd,  daar  danssende,  springende,  en 
singende.  Ik  my  stil  houdende,  verwagten  wat 
daar  van  koomen  wilde;  en  stelden  my  geheel 
gerust,  denkende  dat  eeten,  drinken,  kruit,  en 
loot  had,  in  een  sterk  Fort,  daar  zy  my  niet 
konden  doen. 

Dag  wordende,  en  niemand  vernemende,  trad 
met  Draager  welgewaapend  uit,  rondom  mijn 
Kasteel  gaande,  en  met  een  verrekijker  overal 
herom  ziende,  zag  niets. 


van  den  El-ho  161 


Dagt  teegen  de  middag  eens  naa  't  Wrak  te 

(180)  gaan,  en  te  zien  hoe  het  geschaapen  stond. 

Naa  ik  mijn  middag-maal  gedaan  had,  stapten 
ik  met  Draager  derwaarts,  ik  had  een  gelaaden 
Roer  met  een  tou  op  mijn  schouder  hangen,  en 
een  Houwer  op  zijd.  Daar  koomende  vond  wat 
stukken  en  brokken,  eenige  nog  brandende;  de 
traanen  bedauden  mijn  oogen  op  dit  gesigt. 
Gaande  met  een  bedroefd  hert  op  den  üit-kijk  of 
nog  Menschen  ontdekken  kon,  zag  niemand,  daar 
op  needer  zittende,  raakten  in  slaap,  ontwaak- 
ende,  zag  Volk  by  mijn  Kasteel.  Ik  wierd  geheel 
verschrikt,  afkoomende,  trad  langzaam  der- 
waarts, my  ondertusschen  bedenkende  wat  my  te 
doen  stond,  naader  koomende,  zag  wel  dertig 
ge  verf  den  by  mijn  Kasteel,  dat  zy  ingenomen 
hadden.  Elk  kan  denken  hoe  ik  te  moede  was. 
Ik  dagt  kort  beraad  goed  beraad,  neemende  voor 
te  sterven,  of  mijn  Fort  te  winnen,  mijn  moed 
was  meerder  als  ooit,  ik  agten  haar  niet  meer  als 
honden.  Regt  op  haar  aan  treedende,  kwam  een 
van  haar  zonder  spiets  naa  my  toe,  gaande  op  de 
hurk  sitten,  als  voor  deesen,  ik  wenkten  hem  op 
te  staan,  dat  hy  deed:  zaamen  stille  staande, 
kwam  nog  eene  uit  haar  troep,  met  een  spiets  naa 
my  toe ;  omtrent  ten  half  weegen  smeet  hy  zijn 
spiets  van  hem,  by  de  eerste  komende,  ging  op 

(181)  zijn  hurken  sitten;  ik  wenkten  hem  op  te  staan; 
hy  opstaande,  wees  my  naa  zijn  Volk,  klopten  op 


162  Be  Historie 

zijn  Borst,  doende  teeken  dat  my  geen  kwaad 
zou  geschieden  ;  dus  staande,  en  denkende  wat  ik 
doen  wilde,  wierd  ik  van  agteren  omarmt  en  ge- 
vat; die  twee  welke  voor  my  stonden  schooten 
ook  toe,  my  met  hun  sessen  mijn  geweer  ont- 
neemende,  en  mijn  kleederen  uit  trekkende ;  doen 
was  ik  zoo  naakt  als  zy,  denkende  niet  anders  of 
zy  zouden  m}-  dooden,  te  meer,  om  dat  die  geene 
welke  by  't  Fort  waaren,  met  een  gekrijt  met 
hun  spietsen  kwamen  aanloopen ;  dog  een  van  die 
my  gevat  hadden  haar  teeken  doende,  wierpen 
zy  al  haar  spietsen  van  haar,  en  by  my  koomende, 
zaaten  alle  op  haar  hurken  needer. 

En  straks  weer  opstaande,  vatten  malkander 
by  de  hand,  dansten  dus  al  zingende  om  my  heen. 
Ik  wees  na  mijn  Kasteel,  denkende  waar  ik  daar 
in,  ik  zou  u  anders  leeren  dansen.  Die  ses  welke 
my  uitgeschud  hadden,  en  by  my  stonden,  vatten 
my  meede  aan,  en  moest  ook  met  haar  dansen; 
waar  op  de  anderen  in  haar  handen  klapten,  en 
schreeuwende  zoo  hard  zy  konden.  Ik  dansten 
met  een  droevig  gemoed,  nu  wel  merkende  dat 
zy  my  niet  wilden  dooden.  Het  dansen  ge- 
ëindigd zijnde,  wees  ik  haar  weer  naa  mijn 
(182)  Kasteel;  waar  op  eene  een  schreeu  geevende, 
kwamen  nog  wel  twintig  uit  mijn  kasteel  te  voor- 
schijn, welke  haar  daar  in  tot  nog  toe  verborgen 
hadden;  deese  by  ons  komende,  nam  elk  sijn 
houte  spiets  weer  op,  my  in  't  midden  zettende, 


van  den  El-ho  163 


en  begonden  de  strand  langs  te  marcheeren;  ik 
geduurig  na  't  Fort  ziende,  en  dat  passeerende, 
begon  te  sehreijen,  dat  zy  haar  niet  eens  kreun- 
den. Wy  passeerden  ook  de  Staak  daar  ik  mijn 
Kist  &c.  uit  gegraven  had,  welke  ziende,  wierd 
mijn  hert  hoe  langer  hoe  meerder  beklemd.  Dus 
ontrent  [sic]  ses  uuren  langs  strand  voortge- 
trokken zijnde,  keerden  zy  haar  links  het  Bosch 
in,  en  hielden  naa  een  half  uur  halte,  eenige  wat 
vrugten  haaiende,  daar  wy  alle  van  aaten;  zy 
rukten  wat  takken  van  de  Boomen,  die  tot  hun 
beddingen  schikkende  rondom  my  heen,  my 
eenige  meede  deelende,  die  ik  onder  een  grooten 
Boom  needer  leide,  daar  naakt  op  leggen  ging,  en 
zoo  koud  wierd  als  ys.  Zy  laagen  rondom  my, 
slaapende  gerust,  behalven  ses  die  altijd  wakker 
bleven,  en  de  wagt  al  zingende  rondom  my  hiel- 
den, die  t'elkens  door  anderen  afgelost  wierden. 
Ik  kon  door  haar  zingen  en  koude  niet  slaapen ; 
zy  dat  merkende,  maakten  vuur ;  my  daar  by  leg- 
gende, bekwam  ik  wat.  Ik  beval  my  aan  God, 
(183)  en  verwagte  geduldig  wat  my  weedervaaren  zou, 
denkende  geduurig  om  mijn  Kasteel. 

Des  morgens  gingen  wy  weer  aan  't  marcheer- 
en, en  raakten  naa  een  uur  uit  het  Bosch  by  een 
poel,  alwaar  wel  duisend  korfjes  van  dunne 
rijsjes  gevlogten  stonden,  van  fatsoen  en  groote 
als  mijn  Konstaapels  lantaarn ;  hier  van  nam  'er 
elk  een,  aan  my  ook  een  geevende;  ik  bezag  dit, 


164  De  Historie 


vindende  het  van  binnen  den  bodem,  en  half  weg 
de  hoogte  met  leem  of  pot-aarde  bestreeken,  daar 
bast  van  Boomen  in  lag;  ik  konde  niet  weeten 
wat  dit  beduide ;  maar  uaa  een  uur  gaans  de  Zon 
wat  hooger  rijsende,  zag  milioenen  muggen  en 
vliegen  uit  het  moeras  opkoomen,  als  wanneer  zy 
straks  vuur  maakten,  en  elk  sijn  bast  in  de  korf 
deed  rookenj  deese  rook  had  een  aangenaame 
reuk,  en  deed  alle  muggen  en  vliegen  van  ons 
blijven.  Dit  moeras  gepasseerd  zijnde,  kwamen 
wy  weeder  teegen  den  avond  in  een  Bosch,  daar 
zy  terstond  vuur  maakten,  en  rondom  gingen 
leggen,  my  als  voren  bewaakende. 

Des  morgens  weer  voort  trekkende,  kwaamen 
weer  aan  strand,  aan  een  grooten  inham ;  omtrent 
twee  uuren  langs  strand  gegaan  hebbende,  ont- 
moeten een  rivier,  die  langs  gaande,  raakten 
weeder  in  een  Bosch,  daar  veele  vrugten  stonden ; 
(184)  ontrent  de  middag  halte  houdende,  kwam  nog 
een  Troep  by  ons,  die  eerst  alle  op  de  hurken 
gingen  zitten;  daar  naa  opstaande,  zongen  en 
dansten  als  gekken.  Zy  bragten  vrugten  meede, 
welke  omgedeeld  hebbende,  trokken  weer  voort; 
naa  omtrent  twee  uuren  gaans  vonden  veele 
vlotten  in  de  rivier,  met  touwen  aan  boomen,  op 
't  strand  staande  vast  gebonden,  met  welke  wy 
ons  alle  over  zettende,  toogen  al  voort,  tot  weder 
aan  een  rivier  kwaamen,  doende  weeder  met  de 
daar  leggende  vlotten  als  te  vooren.     Dus  wel 


van  den  El-ho  165 


ses  a  seeveu  rivieren  gepasseerd  hebbende, 
kwaameu  aan  een  zandige  vlakte.  Nu  hadden 
wy  al  seeven  ofte  agt  daagen  gemarcheerd.  Ik 
was  moede  en  mak,  hoe  wel  zy  my  alle  dienst 
deeden  die  zy  konden.  Deese  vlakte  overtrek- 
kende, kwaamen  weder  in  een  Bosch,  als  wanneer 
zy  alle  begonden  te  zingen,  eenige  al  zingende 
voor  uit  loopende,  zag  ik  van  verre  veele  Men- 
schen,  en  hutten.  Welke  naaderende,  kwamen 
zeer  veele  van  de  zelve  ons  teegen  om  my  te  zien. 
Nog  vorder  gaande,  kwam  ik  voor  een  groote  hut, 
daar  een  oudagtig  Man  in  de  deur  zat,  daar  voor 
wy  alle  op  de  hurken  moesten  zitten;  hy  my 
nauw  besiende,  deed  my  by  hem  komen :  hy  hield 
een  lang  discoers  met  die,  welke  my  gevangen 
(1S5)       hadden;  doch  ik  konde  hun  niet  verstaan. 

Het  discoers  ge-eindigt  hebbende,  moest  ik  in 
de  groote  hut  gaan,  alwaar  vier  naakte  Jonge- 
lingen, en  ses  naakte  jonge  Vrouluy  sag,  deese 
alle  naa  my  toe  koomende,  bezaagen  my  zeer 
nauw,  over  al  mijn  lichaam  tastende  en  voelende ; 
ik  stond  onnosel  toe  te  zien,  niet  wetende  wat  men 
met  my  zoude  aanvangen.  Naa  een  uur  begon- 
den zy  alle  in  de  tent  te  singen  en  te  te  [sic] 
danssen  rondom  my;  en  den  Huis-heer  ook  wat 
gedanst  hebbende,  kwam  een  der  voornoemde 
Vrouluy  voor  my  op  de  hurke  sitten:  zy  wees 
my  dat  ik  ook  zoo  doen  moest,  't  welk  doende, 
stond  den  Ouden  op,  ons  elk  een  hand  op    't 


166  De  Historie 

hoofd  leggende,  begon  zoo  liért  te  schreeuwen 
dat  ik  verschrikte,  waar  op  die  buiten  de  tent 
waaren  antwoorden.  Weeder  beginnende  te 
zingen,  en  te  danssen,  deeden  die  buiten  de  tent 
waaren  het  zelve.  Dit  naa  gissing  een  half  uur 
geduurd  hebbende,  stond  het  jonge  Vrou-mensch 
op,  my  by  de  hand  vattende,  trad  met  my  buy- 
ten,  van  de  anderen  gevolgt;  brengende  my  in 
een  daar  bystaande  leedige  hut,  daar  deese 
Dogter  en  ik  in  gingen :  de  andere  slooten  de 
deure ;  daar  naa  al  zingende  weg  gaande  bleven 
wy  met  ons  tween  alleen  in  de  hut,  daar  in  zag  ik 
(1S6)  Ilooy,  gedroogde  Blaaden,  en  biesen  Matten.  Ik 
was  verkoud  kuchende  en  hoestende ;  zy  deed  my 
in  't  Hooy  ter  needer  leggen,  en  my  met  matten 
van  biesen  overdekt  hebbende,  kroop  zy  by  my 
onder,  om  my  te  verwermen,  dat  zy  op  een  aange- 
naame  manier  wist  te  doen. 

Deese  Heidin  had  een  zeeker  Toover-character, 
daar  zy  my  zoodaanig  meede  betooverden,  dat  ik 
al  mijn  ongemak.  Kasteel  en  alles  quam  [sic]  te 
vergeeten, 

Naa  eenige  uuren  malkander  zoo  verwermd  te 
hebben,  dat  wy  zaamen  wel  sweeten,  was  ik  van 
mijn  verkoudheid  geneesen.  Wy  opstaande, 
voelden  ik  de  koude  lugt  weeder,  en  bevond  doen 
eerst  als  een  anderen  Adam  dat  wy  naakt 
waaren.  Over  al  de  hut  doorsiende,  zag  daar 
een  mand  met  gebraten  Vis  die  nog  werm  was; 


van  den  El-ho  167 


zy  een  Haaring  met  haar  hand  daar  uit 
krijgende,  maakten  die  op,  my  die  aanbiedende ; 
ik  vatten  die  gelegentheid  by  't  hair,  denkende 
ik  zal  de  tijd  waar  neemen,  en  my  daar  van 
bedienen,  en  brasten  zoo  veel  ik  kon. 

Hier  naa  wierd  de  deur  van  onse  hut  geopend ; 
en  ik  haar  volgende,  bragt  23-  my  weer  in  de 
groote  hut,  daar  my  gebraaden  vlees,  vis,  en 
eyers  wierden  voor  geset.  Wel  gegeeten  heb- 
(187)  bende  gingen  wy  in  de  rivier  vis  vangen.  Avond 
wordende,  moest  ik  met  mijn  Heidin  weer  naa 
onse  hut,  daar  wy  tot  den  morgen  bleeven 
slaapen.  Mijn  grootste  ongemak  was  dat  ik 
naakt  moest  gaan. 

Dus  een  maand  of  twee  geleefd  hebbende,  ont- 
stond op  een  nagt  en  [sic]  vervaarlijk  geschrey, 
dat  zig  hoe  langer  hoe  meer  verheffende,  mijn 
gesellin  ook  deed  schreyen  en  krijten ;  ik  ver- 
schrikte, zy  omarmde  my  al  krijtende ;  my  los- 
laatende  ging  op  haar  hurke  zitten,  slaande  voor 
haar  borst ;  ik  de  deure  van  onse  hut  opstootende, 
zag  ontelbaare  vuuren  rondom,  zoo  verre  ik 
beoogen  kon,  niet  weetende  wat  dit  beduiden ;  zy 
wees  my  dat  het  onse  Vyanden  waaren,  welke 
ons  wilden  dooden.  Ik  wees  haar  weeder  dat  wy 
zouden  vlugten.  Zy  deed  teeken  dat  wy  rondom 
beset  waaren.  Wy  gingen  zaamen  naa  de  groote 
hut.  Den  Ouden  zat  bedrukt  en  zugte.  Ik  een 
houte  spiets  neemende,  verzogt  manschap  om  de 


168  De  Historie 


Vyand  op  te  zoeken ;  maar  den  Ouden  sijn  hoofd 
schuddende,  kreeg  een  hoorn,  gaande  in  de  deur 
der  hutte,  en  blies  zoo  hard  als  hy  kon ;  daar  op 
volgde  het  geluit  van  wel  honderd  hoorens.  Ik 
niet  weetende  wat  dat  beduiden,  ging  naa  mijn 
hut,  een  houte  spiets  meede  neemende,  met  voor- 
(188)  neemen  van  my  te  verweeren,  wien  ook  op  my 
aan  mogt  komen.  Mijn  Gesellinne  volgde  my 
naa,  kermende  en  krijtende ;  het  wierd  met  'er 
tijd  dag,  en  zag  van  verre  verscheiden  Troepen, 
gekleed  en  gewaapend  Volk,  dat  my  kragtig  ver- 
wonderde; hoorde  ook  schieten,  dat  my  nog 
vreemder  voor  kwam ;  vattende  mijn  Vrou- 
mensch  by  de  hand,  wees  ik  haar  dat  zy  met  my 
daar  naa  toe  zou  gaan,  my  dogt  zy  zouden  my 
niet  dooden ;  dat  zy  niet  doen  wilde ;  ik  dan 
alleen  den  Vyand  te  gemoet  gaande,  kwam  by 
een  troep  Paarden,  den  Kapitein  mijn  ziende, 
hield  stil;  ik  op  mijn  knyen  vallende,  leide 
mijn  handen  te  saamen.  Hy  wenkten  my  by 
hem  te  koomen,  dat  ik  deede,  en  wierd  van 
hem  nauw  besigtigd,  als  zijn  leeven  geen  blank 
mensch  gezien  hebbende.  Hy  deed  my  een  Rok, 
Broek,  en  Muts  geeven,  ook  een  Paard  daar  op 
ik  klom;  maar  mijn  leeven  niet  veel  te  Paard 
geseeten  hebbende,  kan  men  denken  hoe  dat 
toeging.  Ik  reed  in  't  voorste  gelit.  Dus  zagt 
voort  rydende,  kwaamen  by  onse  hutten.  Ik 
wees  den  Kapitein  mijn  hut  daar  ik  woonde,  bid- 


van  den  El-ho  169 


dende  hem  met  gevouwene  handen  die  te  willen 
verschoonen.  Hy  zetten  voort  eenige  Ruiters 
voor  de  deure,  daar  ik  meede  onder  was.  Nu 
zag  ik  verscheide  Troepen  van  alle  kanten  aan- 
(189)  koomen,  een  Kanon  wierd  afgeschooten,  op  welk 
zein  het  aan  een  moorden  ging,  dat  bedroefd  te 
zien  was;  zoo  wel  Mans,  Vrouwen,  als  Kinders, 
lieten  haar  gewillig  dooden,  zonder  haar  meer  te 
weeren  als  de  oude  Jooden  op  haaren  Sabbath 
plagten  te  doen.  Dit  beweegde  my  tot  schreijen, 
els  wanneer  een  Onder-Officier  my  nors  aan- 
ziende, op  sijn  Swaard  klopten,  dies  moest  ik 
swijgen,  wijl  hy  ons  die  voor  de  hut  stonden 
commandeerden ;  ik  bad  hem  of  ik  eens  in  de  hut 
mogte  gaan  ?  dat  hy  my  met  een  wenk  vergunde. 
Van  't  Paard  in  de  hut  treedende,  begonden  zy 
alle  te  schreeuwen,  zittende  op  haar  hurken;  ik 
hem,  hemden ;  waar  op  zy  stil  sweegen ;  dit  had 
ik  van  den  Ouden  geleerd,  welke  dat  deed  als  hy 
gehoord  wilde  zijn :  zy  my  aan  mijn  blanke  aan- 
gezigt  kennende,  en  mijn  handen  en  voeten 
ziende,  schoot  mijn  Vrouwmensch  naa  my  toe, 
my  omarmende  al  schreijende :  ik  hem,  hem  zeg- 
gende, sweeg  zy  stil ;  zy  gaf  my  gebraaden  Vis 
en  Eyeren,  die  ik  aan  mijn  gezelschap  te  Paard, 
nevens  wat  Fruit  omdeelden,  dat  zy  aan  naamen 
en  nuttigden.  Het  was  wonderlijk  dat  alle  deese 
menschen  haar  zoo  gewillig  lieten  dood  slaan, 
zonder  de  minste  teegenweer  te  bieden,  even  als 


170  De  Historie 


(190)  of  zy  alle  tot  een  Goddelijke  Offerhande  gedoemd 
waaren. 

Het  moorden  geëindigd  zijnde,  reed  ik  als  een 
gevangen  nieuwen  Ruiter  met  mijn  troep  weeder 
te  rug,  zonder  te  weeten  waar  heen.  Naa  eenige 
daagen  mareheerens  kwamen  wy  aan  een  arm 
van  de  Zee,  daar  meenigte  Vlotten  laagen,  eenige 
met  twee,  andere  met  drie  en  vier  zeilen;  hier 
meede  wierden  wy  alle  overgezet. 

Onse  Kompagnie  was  hondert  man  sterk, 
rijdende  in  tien  gelederen,  elk  gelit  had  een  Offi- 
cier of  Korporaal:  in  haar  Standaards  was  op 
blaauw  satijn  een  gouden  Sonne,  waar  in  den 
Engel  Baloka  in  een  purpere  rok  zat  en  schreef ; 
deesen  had  meerder  oogen  als  van  Argus  ooit 
verdigt  is;  sijne  gedaante  was  zeer  wonderlijk, 
als  geheel  bestaande  uit  oogen,  ooren  en  handen, 
dat  my  vreemt  voor  kwam.  Wy  waaren  de  eerste 
Kompagnie  die  weeder  keerden  van  drie  duisend 
Ruiters,  zijnde  Hulp  benden,  welke  dit  Eiland 
Krinke  Kesmes  aan  haare  Nabuuren  geleend 
hadden.  Ik  aan  Land  koomende,  wierd  in  een 
Boeren  huis  gelegt,  tot  order  van  Kesmes  kwam, 
dat  ik  daar  zou  komen.  Daar  komende,  wierd  ik 
in  een  Scholastique  vergaadering  gebragt,  alwaar 
vier-en-twintig  zeer  agtbare  Mannen  zaaten.  Den 

(191)  Voorzitter  deed  my  aan  een  klein  taafeltjen 
zitten,  daar  papier,  pennen  en  inkt  op  was ;  men 
wees  my  dat  ik  schrijven  moest,  't  welk  doende, 


van  den  El-h  o  171 


ging  mijn  schrift  rondom,  elk  van  deese  Heeron 
beschouden  het,  tot  het  een  aanzienlijk  Man  in 
sijn  hand  krijgende,  dat  overluid  las;  hy  op- 
staande, vroeg  my  in  goed  Hollands,  hoe  ik  by 
de  Natie  Kaskes  (welk  woord  beteekend  Strand- 
ers,  of  Strand  hewooners)  gekomen  was?  Ik  ant- 
woordende, verhaalde  het  geene  my  weeder- 
vaaren  was;  waar  over  zy  haar  alle  zeer  ver- 
wonderden. Hy  gebood  my  dit  alles  op  te 
schrijven,  dat  ik  vaardig  deed,  alzoo  ik  het  zelve 
als  een  A.  B,  C.  van  buiten  kon. 

Dit  overgeleeverd  hebbende,  wierd  het  voort  in 
deese  Land-taale  overgeset.  Des  agtermiddags 
kwaamen  my  tien  Jongelingen,  in  die  Hol- 
landsche  taal  begroeten,  die  zy  vry  wel  spraaken, 
leezen,  en  schrijven  konden, 

Naa  drie  daagen  wierde  ik  uit  de  lïoofd-Stad 
Kesmes,  naa  deese  Stad  Taloujaël  gesonden,  om 
alhier  geduurende  mijn  leeven,  eenige  Jeugd  de 
Hollandsche  taaie  te  leeren,  dat  als  nog  mijn 
werk  is. 

Men  geeft  my  hier  zeer  eerlijk  onderhoud, 
mijn  Schoole  is  nooit  sterker  als  ses  jonge  Lui- 
den, die  ik  in  de  Plollandsche  Taaie  onderwijse, 
(192)       en  doe  verstaan,  spreeken,  leesen,  en  schrijven, 

Deese  Zuidlanders  meenen,  dat  het  geluk  van 
haar  land,  en  haare  goede  en  zeer  heerlijke 
regeering,  alleen  afhangd  van  de  goede  opvoe- 
dinge  der  jeugd,  daarom  moogen  hier  geen  todden 


172  De  Historie 

van  wijven,  School-matressen  nog  geen  dronkene 
snipers,  of  kwaalijk  gemanierde  mannen,  School- 
meesters zijn ;  de  zulke  worden  veragt,  zoo 
wel  als  die  haar  natuurlijk  verstand  ontbreeken 
neevens,  de  talmers  en  teemers,  die  niet  glad  van 
tong  zijn. 

Zy  gelooven  hier,  dat  alle,  of  de  meeste  fouten, 
welke  veele  menschen  als  eigen  zijn,  zy  die  in 
haare  Jeugd,  van  haare  Opvoeders,  en  Onder- 
wijsers  ontfangen,  en  dat  de  zelve  dan  door 
gewoonte  haar  by  blijven.  Daarom  moeten  hier 
de  Schoolmeesters  verstandig,  zeer  opmerkende, 
voorsigtig,  en  welleevende  zijn.  Ik  heb  my  naa 
haare  wetten  gevoegd,  en  leeve  nog  daar  naa  zoo 
eerlijk  als  ik  kan ;  daarom  ben  ik  beschonken 
met  deese  roode  Rok  en  roode  Muts,  dat  hier  een 
kleed  van  eere  is. 

Het  teeken  op  mijn  Borst  geborduurd,  is  in 
deese  Landtaal  El-ho  dat  is  vryman. 

FINIS 


Date  Due                              ' 

1 

1 

Form  335.     45M  8-37. 


339.3133  SÓ37N  32ö022 


